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Book 






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FQR OLD ELI 



% Comctip of tale Eife in 4 ^cte 



BY 



LOYD OSCAR THOMPSON 



Copyright, 1909, by Samuel French 



CAUTION.— All peraons are hereby warned that " Por Old 
Eli " being fully protected under the copyright laws 
of the United States, is subject to royalty, and anyone 
presenting tiie ijlay without the consent of the owner or his 
agent, will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Ap- 
plication for stage rights must be made to Samuel French, 
24 West 22d Street, New York. 

AU Rights Reserved 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

26 WEST 22D STREET 



London 

SAMUEI, FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street, 

STRAND 



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©OLD 17833 



TMP?6-0067C0 



FOR OLD ELI. 



trbe Cl5aractcri5. 

The names are piiuted iu the order iu whieh they appear 
upon the stage. 
CiiAULEY Walkeu, Captain of the Yale Track Team. 
Dick Carson, Walker's room-mate. 
" Autik" Au.mstkong. 
"Bkef" Cami'cell. 
'^BiM." Baily. 

Assist A^'r PiiOFESSoii Allbright. 
Jack LroLOW, a Freshman ; room mate of Walker and 

Carson. 
Alice Fairfield, Ludlow's cousin. 
Edith Van Noiiton. 

i\lARY CaLDERWOOD. 

GwEN Hardy. 

]Mks. Fairfield, Alice's mother. 

Helen Beckwito, friend of Alice. 

'Bub" Tirneil 

' Spud" Fostf:r. 

• vSkinny " Allison. 

■'Andy Anderson. 
Jim D'>vioirr. 

Tom McCoy. 

Tf.d Jones. 

"Ollie" Ollcott. 

Mike McCarty, th.e Yale Trainer. 

"Sport" Hendricks, A "Mucker." 

Students, swipes, etc., etc. 



FOR OLD ELL 

Scenes. 

ACT I. 

Sitting room of Walker, Carson and Ludlow, Vanderbilt 
Hall, Yale University. Two days before the Yale-Harvarfl 
Track Meet. 

ACT II. 

The famous Yale Fence in front of Vanderbilt Hall, Yale 
University. Twilight of the evening before the Yale- 
Harvard Track Meet. 

ACT III. 

Dressing-room of the Yale Track Team during the Yale- 
Harvard Track Meet. 

ACT IV. 

Library and den of Alice Fairfield's home. The evening 
following the Yale-Harvard Track Meet. 

The Place. — New Haven, Conn. 

The Time. — Present. 



FOR OLD ELI. 



Room of Charley Walker, Diok Carson and Jack 
Ludlow, Vanderhilt Hall, Yale University. 
Typical College Room. Large window R. Doors 
l. and R. c. Piano r. Couch r. Book-case l. c. 
Cozy corner L. Fireplace l. Small table ivith 
tea service l. Small table ivith chafing dish L. 
Flat top desh with two chairs l. c. Morris chair 
about c. 

On rise of curtain room is seen to be in great disorder. 
Papers, bools, etc., are scattered over desk and 
floor. Clothing thrown carelessly on chairs, sofa 
and cozy corner, etc. etc. 

(Enter V^alkt^r r. c.) 
Walker. Wonder where the fellows are. (goes to 
door l. and looks in) I say, Carson ! Ont somewhere 
I expect. He Y^^asn't at the field tliis afternoon, but 
perhaps he will show np later, (goes to ivindow R. 
and looks out) Gad, but tl)is is a great day! And 
the Harvard meet only day after to-morrow. We 
must win that! We must win! (laughs a littUi) 
Oh, we're goin"- to all right. This thing of being 
Captain isn't what it's cracked up to he. It's getting 
on my nerves I guess. Well, (sighs) I suppose I 
must plug out that Greek a little, (he pulls off 
sweater and exits L. returning in a minute with bath- 
robe on. He goes to book-case and gets Greek hook 
and Lexicon, sits doivn, opens book and reads) But 
if now for these things done, I have accusation, if 

5 



G FOR OLD ELI. 

at that time, when I concerning these things — what 
the deuce does that mean ? (looks over Lexicon) Ah, 
here it is — " to be exact, accurate or jjrecise in lan- 
guage," 1 bet I'll be exact in my language pretty soon. 
(reads from Greek hook) 1 have accusation, if at 
that time when I concerning these things, exact in 
language — oh, gee ! that's a rotten translation ! I 
wonder where that trot is. (rummages over desk) 
Ah here it is, (opens it) This is better, (reads) 
But if I now have accusation against these deeds, 
if at that time while I was refining about these jioints, 
the 

Campbell. (outside) Oh, Charley Walker! 
(Walker starts to rise, hut sits down and continues 
to study) 

Campbell, (outside) Oh, Charley Walker! 

Walker. Ooh, hoo! (keeps on studying) — and 
gave themselves into Philip's power. 

Campbell, (outside) Come here a minute. 

Walker. Can't I'm busy. (reads) — Philip's 
power, and at the same time 

Campbell, (outside) I want to ask you some- 
thing. (Walker gets up very reluctantly and goes 
to the window r.) 

"^\^alker. Well, what do you want? 

Campbell, (outside) Wliere is our Greek lesson 
for to-morrow? 

Walker. Come on up, I'm studying it now. 

Campbell, (outside) No, I can't. I promised 
Armstrong I'd study with him, and he didn't know 
where the lesson was, so we matched to see who'd 
go and find out. I lost. 

Walker. Hard luck. Beef. 

Campbell, (outside) Oh, I don't know, I stuck 
him to do the translating. 

Walker. Well, that's better. 

Campbell, (outside) Well, where's the lesson ? 

Walker. Wait a minute, and I'll see. (lie gets 
Greek hook and turns pages) From Section 240, the 



FOR OLD ELI. 7 

next ten pages, to Section 27G. He didn't give us 
much tliis time. 

Campbell, {outside) No, I should say not! 
Well, much obliged. 

Walker. Don't mention it. So long. 
Campuell (outside) So long, Charley. 
(YvALKER goes lack to desh, picks up hooh and reads) 
Walker, {reading from "Trot") — and at the 

same time he was master of Euboca, and of 

{Students outside singing, gradually drawing nearer.) 
Here's to good old Yale, 
Drink it down, drink it down, 
Here's to good old Yale, 
Drink it down, drink it down, 
Here's to good old Yale, 
She's so hearty and so hale, 
Drink it down, drink it down, 
Drink it down, down, down. 
(V/alker heeps time to music as he reads, then 
catches himself and studies harder than ever.) 
AValker. —and Thebes, and Byzantium. Do you 
know what these irreverent men are saying? 
{Singing keeps up, and he goes to window and pulls 
down hlvnd.) 
Voice, {outside) Oh, Charley Walker! 
{He comes hack to desk and studies.) 
Walker. — or what they are doing? 
Students, (outside) Oh, Charley Walker, come 
on down. 

Walker. Can't, I'm busy. 

Students, (outside) Oh come on. Don't be a 
grind. Etc. etc. 

Walker. Ko, T'm studying. 
Voice, (outside) Oh, very well. Come on, 
fellows. 

(Singing is resumed and dies away in the distance. 
Walker continues to study.) 



8 FOR OLD ELI. 

Walker. — or what they are doing? They are 
not acting as if they were giving up ? Guess I'd 
better read it from the Greek once, (takes Gh-eeh 
booh and starts to read) 

Carsox. {Gutside) Oh, VVaiker, oh, Charley 
Walker i 

Walker. Tliere is Carson now. Ooh, hoo ! (runs 
to window and puts up blind) 

Carson, (outside) Throw nie out my sweater, 
will you, please. 

Walker. Sure, (he looks all around for sweater. 
Goes into room L. a^id looks, then returns to window 
R. In meantime Carson ichistles) 

Walker. I say, Carson, I can't find it. 

Carson, (outside) Oh, all right, I"ll go up for 
it myself. 

(Walker returns to desk and studies.) 

(Enter Carson r. c.) 

Carson. I bet I did those three flights in record 
time. (Walker keeps en studying) What! Not 
studying, are you, Walker? 

Walker. Yes. 

Carson. Don't do it, my boy, it hurts the brain. 
(he exits l, and retuims in about a minute with 
sweater on. He starts to go out r. c. 

Walker. I sa}'^, Carson. 

Carson, (stopping) Well? 

VfALKER. (without looking up) Ah — er — where 
are you going, Carson? 

Carson. Down on the fence. Why? 

Walker, (looking sqiiarely at him) Wliy weren't 
you out at the field this afternoon ? 

Carson. Mike told me not to come. 

Walker. Oh, he did, did he? Look here, Carson, 
you have been missing too much practice lately. 

Carson. Do you think so ? 

Walker. Yes I do. And what's more, T am not 
going to stand for it any longer. You know the 



FOR OLD ELI. 9 

Harvard Meet is day after to-morrow, and without 
your points in the sprints and broad jump, where 
would we be ? And here you are not more than half 
in shape. Do you know I have more than half a 
notion to let Gordon run in your place, you knov/ 
he beat you out yesterday. 

Carson. Oh, you don't mean that, old man. I 
know he beat me out, but I was feeling rotten yester- 
day, (crosses to Walker) Come on, cheer up, old 
fellow, I'll be all right day after to-morrow. Mike 
knows his business. 

Walker. Maybe he does. 

Carson. Sure he does. I guess this 

(KnocJcing is heard at door.) 
Cabson. Come in. 

(Enter "Artie" Armstrong, "Bill" Baily, and 
" Beef " Campbell.) 

Carson. How are you fellows ? Come on in, the 
water's great. 

Walker. Hello, fellows. ' 

Armstrong. How are you? (he crosses to 
piano, sits and plays softly) 

Baily. Hello, boys, (he crosses to Walker) 

Campbell. How are you fellows? 

Carson. Sit down. 

Campbell. Don't care if I do. (he lounges on 
sofa) 

Walker. Thought you were going to study 
Greek, Beef. 

Cajsipbell. Oh, I forgot where the lesson was 
when I got back. We matched again to see who'd 
find out; Artie got stuck, so I came with him. 

Walker. Oh, I see. 

Carson, (crossing to Campbell) Well, Old 
War Hoss, do you think you can beat Hadley this 
year? 

Campbell, Well you just watch me. 



10 FOR OLD ELI. 

Carson. That's what I hope to do. {they con- 
verse, Campbell gesticulating) 

Baily. So you think it is easy money, do you, 
Cap? 

Walker. No, I don't say that ; but if Carson can 
win his fifteen points we shall win. 

Baily. Well he can do that all right; he has 
done it for the last three years. 

Walker. Well I am not so sure of that. He is 
stale, and then Mike has been letting him off too easy 
lately. 

Baily. Stale ! 

Walker. Yes. He had no life at all yesterday; 
why, Gordon beat him in a trial. 

Baily. Surely he wasn't doing his best. Why, 
man, Carson is the greatest sprinter in this country. 

Walker. J know, that's what we all thought, but 
I am afraid this time. 

Baily. By Jove! (tahes out notc-hool,:) I 
don't know but I had better hedge. I've got a cool 
thou' on the meet. 

Walker. That's a lot, Baily, but I guess it may 
be safe after all. 

(They converse.) 

Carson. Say, Beef, how's the little peach ? 

Campbell. Oh, don't you worry about her. 

Armstrong, (turning around) I say, fellows, 
have you heard of Beef's latest mash? 

All. No, tell us about it. 

Campbell. Oh, shut up, will you ! 

Armstrong. Well, last night Beef was going 
down along York Street, near the Medical School, 
Lord only knows where he was going, when he saw 
what he thought was a peach come out of a house and 
walk very rapidly down toward Crown Street. 

Carson. What he thought was a peach ? 

Armstrong. Yes, just wait. 

Campbell. Ah, cut it will you? 



FOR OLD ELI. H 

ARMSTRONG. Well Of course he gave f^se and 
fnllowpd her out near the Normal bchool. rreuy 

ni he saw she was slackening her pace so he quick- 
soon h^s-i^vi e w ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^.^^^^ j^^ 

ft him and "said, " Yas, Honey, it suah am. 

(All laugh but Campbell. He Ihrows sofa pillow ai 

^ Armstrong.) 

Campbell. If it wasn't so much work I'd sit on 

^°^\rvstrong. Oh, I don't know. 

cI^soT That sure was a good one on you. Beef, 
?nd you a Southerner too 

CVvMPBELL. Oh, it's a darned be. 
Arvs?RONG. No it's not either; you know you 
-.01^ me thafyourself after you got home last mght 
Campbell. Well there;s no use balling a fellow 
cut, but here's one on Artie. 

Armstrong. Ah shut up ! , ., 

Campbell. The other night Artie weiitto^^he 
'-^raud to see, " For The Sake Of Her Che-ild, or 
^Vn Is Not Gold That Does Not Glitter," or some- 
tlfg like that, and thought he l^ad a mash on h 
ingemie. Well after the show he ^^i^ed at the stage 
pntrance for her, and when she came out he bracea 
her She turned around and gave him the glassy 
eve" for about two minutes, and then said Say 
li\ilP hoy, hadn't you better run home, mamma wants 
vou." 

(.4// laugli hut Armstrong.) 

Armstrong. TUVs a darned lie. You might 
know the first man has no show 

Carson, {crossing to window) Id think you 
fellows would get tired joshing each other. 

Campbell. Oh, 'tis a lot of work, but I cant let 
the little runt get ahead of me. 



12 FOR OLD ELI. 

Carson. By Jove, fellows ! Here comes All- 
briglit. He's coming up to pound some of Hume's 
phiiosophy into me. 

Baily. I'll bet you ten to one he can't do iL 

Campbell. Uuing down) 'Scuse me if I seem 
to take a nap. 

Carson. Come on, fellows, we'll let him lecture 
to all of us and have some fun. 

All. All right. 

{Knoclsing at door.) 
Carson. Pts-s-s-s ! 

{Loud knoching.) 
(Very loud knochmg.) 
Carson, (in monotone) Come in. 
{Enter xIllbright.) 

Allbrigiit. Good afternoon, gentlemen. 

All. {in monotone) Good afternoon, Professor 
Allbright. 

Allbright, You honor me too greatly, gentle- 
men; only Assistant Professor. 

All. Not at all, Professor Allbright. 

Allbright. I suppose, Mr. Carson, you have 
carefully considered the portion of Hume's " Treatise 
on Human Nature," which I outlined for you at our 
last meeting? 

Carson. Well, you see, Professor, I have been 
forced to ah — devote so much time to other subjects. 
You know Professor McCarty {winks at fellows) has 
been giving us a pretty hard course in the hundred 
yard dash lately. 

Allbright. Ah — er — Professor McCarty? Ah 
— I — what department does he have? 

Carson. He gives courses in the 100, 220, 440, 
880 

Allbright. Ah, Higher Mathematics. I under- 



FOR OLD ELI. 13 

stood there was to be a new man in that department. 
I must cultivate his acquaintance at once. I dare 
say he is a very learned man. 

Carson. Yoii bet he is. He can't be beaten. 

Allbright. But, ilr. Carson, jou ^vouidn't per- 
mit Mathematics to take you away from the pro- 
found cogitations of the immortal Hume? 

Carson. Oh not at all, not at all, Professor; but 
do be seated, {motions to chair l. of desk. All- 
bright crosses and sits) You see, Professor, I have 
enjoyed so much your discourses, and tiie masterful 
way in which you have promulgated the profound 
cogitations of the immortal Hume, (aside) ahem, 
how's that? — that I did not want to be selfish, so have 
invited a few of my friends in to get tlie benefit also. 

Allbright. You do me a great honor, gentlemen. 
(he looks over desk) 

Carson. Pts-s-s-s ! 

All. (in monotone) Not at all. Professor All- 
bright. 

(.1// sit in very exaggerated listening attitudes.) 

Allbright. If you have any questions to ask or 
comments to make, I hope you will not deem it a 
breach of etiquette to interrupt me, gentlem.en. 

All. (in monotone) We shall not deem it a 
breach, Professor Allbright. 

Allbright. Thank yoiL Are we read}^ to pro- 
ceed, gentlemen? 

All. (in monotone) We are ready. Professor 
Allbright. 

Allbright. Very well, (clears tltroat) In the 
" Treatise on Human Xature," which is in every 
respect the most complete exposition of Hume's 
Philosophical conception, we have the first thorough- 
going attempt to apply the fundamental principles 
of Locke's empirical psychology to the construction 
of a theory of knowledge. Do I make myself clear, 
gentlemen ? 



14 FOR OLD ELI. 

All. (in monotone) Very clear, Professor All- 
bright. 

Arjvistroxg. {uside) About as clear as mud. 

Allbrigiit. To resume; in the first instance 
then, Hume's Philosophical work is to be regarded as 
the attempt to supply for empiricism in Psychology 
a consistent, that is a logically developed theory of 
knowledge. In Locke 

{Enter Ludlow hurriedly, very much excited.) 

Ludlow. I say, Carson, you and Walker will 
have to — oh, I beg your pardon, i didn't see you 
fellows. How do you do, Allbright? 

Campbell. Professor Allbright, Freshman ! 

Ludlow. Excuse me. Professor Allbright 

Allbright. Only Assistant Professor. 

Ludlow. But I say, Carson, you and Walker will 
have to help me straighten up this room. 

(He picl's up hoolcs and carries them to hook-case.) 

Carson. What's up, Ludlow? 

Ludlow. Oh, there's the deuce to pay, but come 
on quick, fellows. 

{He starts to clear things off desk.) 

Walker. Hold on here, Ludlow, keep your shirt 
on. 

Campbell. Yes, for Heaven's sake, don't work so 
hard unless it's necessary. 

Ludlow. Well, it certainly is necessary with half 
a dozen girls coming here in about two minutes. 

All. Girls ! 

Ludlow. You bet your life, and some peaches 
too. You fellows know most of them. 

Carson. Who are they? 

Ludlow. My cousin, Alice Fairfield, she just 
telephoned me they were coming, you all know her, 
and her mother 

Baily. We all know her too. 
{All laugh.) 



FOR OLD ELI. 15 

Ludlow. And Mary Calderwood, and Edith Van 
Norton, and n fii^-'id of Ali:'e's fiuui St. Margaret's, 
a Helen Beckwith of PittHburg, s!ie"s corae on to see 
the meet — and — and — Gwen Hardy. 

Cai!vSOX. Here's where you shine, Beef. 

Campbell, Just watch my snioice. 

(.1// start to straighten up room.) 

Allbrigiit. You will have to excuse me, gentle- 
men, {he starts to jv'el- vp tools, etc.) We shall 
continue our little discourse on the divine Hume at 
some more opportune time in the future. 

Carson. Oh no, Professor, don't go; stay and 
meet the ladies. 

Campbell. Sure, you will make a hit with the 
dragon. 

Allbrigiit. Very well, gentlemen, if you insist. 
Perhaps I shall have an opportunity to discuss the 
immortal Hume. 

Armstrong. Yes, perhaps you will — not. 

Carson. Ludlow, you run down to Honest John's 
and get some giuh. 

Ludlow. All right. 

{Exit Ludlow r. c.) 

Carson. This is the first time Beef has worked 
since the Princeton Meet. 

Campbell. Yes, and it is the last time I'll work 
till the Harvard Meet. 

(Walker gets broom from room l. and throve it to 
Armstrong, icho sweeps dirt under desk, etc. 
Walker goes out l. c.vl returns soon ivith coat 
on, Campbell stands a! ^woJc-case and Carson 
throws books at him. When Carson throws 
Allbright's book he expostulates. He piclcs it 
up, takes out handJcerchief and dusts it off very 
carefully.) 
Allbright. Gentlemen, gentlemen ! My Hume 
is not a base-ball ! 



l(j FOR OLD ELI. 

Carson. Oh, excuse us. Professor. 

Armstrong. I say, Beef, you want to look out 
for Ludlow, he will cut you out. 

Campbell. Don't you worry, kid, you just keep 
your peepers on me. 

{When room u in remonahJe degree of order Ludlow 
returns irith Lneeda biseuUs, etc. Carson has 
lit lamp under chafing dish and now iiial-es tea, 
putting in a big handful. Laughter of girls is 
heard outside.) 

Carson. By Gad, here they corne! I must get 
out of this sweater. 

(Exit Carson l. pulling off sweater.) 

(Enter Alice Fairfield, Edith Van Norton, 
Mary Calderwood, Cwen Hardy and Mrs. 
Fairfield r. c.) 

Alice. Hello, beys, awfully glad to see you 
(shal-es hands with Walker) Hello, Charley! Oh, 
pardon me! {makes deep courtesy) Captain 
Walker! How's the team, Captain? We've simply 
got to beat the Johnnies this year, xind here is 
Professor Allbriiiht. How do you do, Professor? 
{shakes hands tvith Allbright) 

Allbright. Only Assistant Professor. 

(Alice crosses to Ludlow and tliey converse. In 
the meantime the other girls have entered and 
are talking with Armstrong, Baily and Camp- 
bell r. c. Mrs. Fairfield follows.) 

Mrs. Fairfield. Well, here we are at last. How 
do you do everybody? {shakes hands with Walker) 
T rather doubted the propriety of bringing the girls 
up here, but they wouldn't take no for an answer. 
{sees Allbright) Ah, who is this? 

Walker. Oh, this is Professor Allbright. Mrs. 
Fairfield allow me to present Professor Allbright, 
America's foremost authority on Hume's Philosophy. 



FOR OLD ELI. 17 

Mrs. Fairfield. I am most happy to meet you, 
Professor. 

Allbright. I am greatly honored, Madam, but 
I am only Assistant Professor. You know 

{They converse. He takes Iter to cozy corner and 
they sit. Walker crosses to Alice and Ludlov/ 
and they converse, Ludlow very seriously, 
motioning toward Campbell. Alice and 
Walker laugh. In the meantime Armstrong 
and Mary have crossed to the piano, Mary play- 
ing softly. Baily and Edith have crossed to 
desk, Edith sitting on chair and Baily on desk. 
Campbell and Gwen are seated on sofa.) 

GwEN. I just love runners, don't you, Mr. Camp- 
bell ? 

Campbell. Oh, now, Miss Gwen, you said last 
Fall you liked football players. 

GwEN. But this is track season, Mr. Campbell. 

Campbell. Well, I throw the hammer, you know. 

GwEN. Oh, yes, but that isn't the least bit excit- 
ing. All you do is to stand in a foolish little circle, 
and toss a little iron ball on the end of a wire. You 
don't have to work hard at all. 

Campbell. Don't we though? 

Gwen. No. But the runners ! Isn't it just 
grand the way Dick Carson runs the hundred — what 
do you call it — yard jump? 

{He expostulates and they converse. Walker, 
Alice an ^ Ludlow take tea around.) 

Allbright.. As I was saying, my dear Mrs. Fair- 
field, in the " Treatise on Human Nature," which is 
in every respect the most complete exposition of 
Hume's Philosophical conception, we have the first — 

Mrs. Fairfield. But pardon me, my dear Pro- 
fessor Allbright, do you think the psychical phenom- 
ena of Hume's philosphicaL cogitations are quite com- 
patible with his early training? 



18 FOR OLD ELI. 

Alice. There, mother is in her glory now all 
right. 

Baily. Yes, Miss Edith, I have a thousanl bet 
on this meet. 

Edith. Oh, Mr. Baily, what if you should lose? 

Baily. It would be skiddo for me I guess. 

(Enter Carson l.) 

Cabson. Hello, everybody ! 

Alice. Hello, Dick ! (she shakes hands with 
him) 

Other Girls, (together) How do you do, Mr. 
Carson? Good afternoon. Dink, Hello, Dick! 

Carson. Excuse me for being late, but that is, 
I — ah — you see I w^isu't exactly presentable when 
you came in, so I just slipped on the top stair and 
came down. 

(Girls laugh.) 

Felloivs. (together) Rotten! Bum! Throw 
him out ! Etc. 

Carson, (shakiro hands with Mrs. Fairfield) 
How do you do, Mrs. Fairfield? Awfully nice of 
you to come up. 

Mrs. Fairfield. Well, Mr. Carson, as T said a 
few moments ngo, I doubted the propriety of bring- 
ing the girls up here, and I should not have done it, 
had it been any other room than yours. 

Carson, (bowing very loiv) You honor me ex- 
ceedingly, Madam. 

Alice. Come, Dick, sit down over here, and I 
will give you somje tea. 

Carson, (sitting l. of desk) Thank you, you 
are awfully kind. 

Alice. Oh, don't mention it. 

Ludlow, (coming dose to Carson) I say, 
Carson, can't you make that big lobster give me a 
chance ? 

Carson. Sure, (to Campbell) I say, Beef, 
look here a minute, I want to tell you something. 



FOR OLD ELI. 19 

Campbell. Can't, I'm busy. 
Carson. Come on, got a great joke to tell you. 
Campbell. All right. I'll be right back, Miss 
Gwen; you'll keep my place for me won't you? 
GwEN. Oh, certainly. 

(Campbell crosses to Carson and Ludlow slips 
around and sits by Gwen oti l.) 

Campbell. Well, what is it? 
Carson. Why, the other day when I was coming 
up Chapel Street — oh you're stung, Beef, get next. 

(Campbell looks around and starts toward Ludlow) 
Campbell. You little runt— I'll— I'll— spank 
you. 

Gwen. Oh no, please don't, Mr. Campbell. 
There is room enough for all of us. {she moves 
closer to LuDLOW, making room for Campbell. I 
was just telling Mr. Ludlow how much I like ham* 

(Ca:mpbell grins and Ludlow makes grimace.) 

mer — ah — th — throwers. 

Carson. Give us a little music, Mary, can't you? 
Liven things up a bit. 

Mary. All right. What shall it be? 

Carson. Oh, any old thing. 

{She plays " Boola " and they all sing.) 

Carson, {at end of song) Oh I say, Alice, 
Ludlow said you had a friend visiting you, and that 
she was coming up. 

(All look surprised.) 

Alice. Why — why — where is she? She stopped 
downstairs to look at that picture in the hallway; she 
sfiid she would be right up. I — I — had completely 
for.Totten her. Isn't that awful? 

i^lRS. Fairfield. Why, what is the matter, daugh- 
ter? 

Alice. You know we left Helen downstairs and 
she hasn't come up yet. 



20 FOR OLD ELI. 

Mf;s. Faikfii:ld. [rising) This is awfully 
shocking! Wandering around in a men's dormitory 
all alone. We must go and search for her im- 
mediately. Come, girls. 

Mrs. Fairfield starts for door, Allbright follow^ 
ing. 

Allbright. Pray permit me to accompany you, 
my dear Mrs. Fairfield. 

Mrs. Fairfield. Certainly, my dear Professor 
Allbright. 

{Exit Mrs. Fairfield and Allbright r, c.) 

Alice. Come on, everybody, this is awful. Helen 
will never forgive me. (starts for door) No, Dick, 
you stay here, we might miss her. 

(Exit Alice with Walker r. c.) 

Carson. All right. Just as you say. 

(In the meantime Gwen has started for tlie door 
accompanied hy Campbell and Ludlow. Mary 
and Armstrong exit together, and Edith and 
Baily.) 

Carson, (returning) By Jove that is a mix up ! 
(he crosses, pours out a cup of tea, and sits l. of 
desk. Stirs tea) Here's to good old Yale, drink it 
down, (he drinks tea) Bah, no wonder women get 
gour balled when they drink that stuff, (pause) I 
wonder what Walker meant when he said I was stale. 
Rot ! I never felt better in m.y life. And the old dad 
is going to be there too. Coming all the way from 
Europe to see me win. Win ! Win ! Gad, just 
watch me! Get on your marks — get set 

(Knocking at door.) 

Carson. Come in. 

(Enter Helen r. c.)' 



FOR OLD ELI. 21 

Carson, (rising and coming forward) Hello — 
why — why — I — I — beg your pardcin. 

Helen. How do you do? {she steps forward 
holding out her hand) 1 suppot^e you are — Jack? 

Carson. No, I am sorry to say— that is — yes — 
yes — sure I'm Jack. But do sit down, (he almost 
forces her into chair r. of d^slc) Take oif your 
wraps. Have a cup of tea. {he runs to get her a 
cup of tea) 

Helen. I just knew you were. Alice has told me 
so much about her cousin Jack. 

Carson. Is that so? And she has told me so 
much about her friend 

Helen. Helen. Yes that is right. Alice said 
we were to begin calling each other by our first names 
right away. 

Carson. By Jove, that will be jolly ! 1 bet you 
can say Dick just great. 

Helen. Dick ! 

Carson. Yes, that's my — no — no — I mean Jack. 
Dick is my room-mate's name, Dick Carson you know. 

Helen. Oh ? yes I have heard of him too. 

Carson. Is that so? What have you heard? 

Helen. Oh, Alice thinks he is just fine. She 
says he is to be elected Captain of the Track Team 
for next year. She thought I would fall in love 
with him at first sight. 

Carson. Is that ?o? Well what do you think? 

Helen. Oh, I don't know, I think Jack is an 
awfully nice name. 

Carson, (disgustedly) Oh! 

Helen. Wliat ! 
■ Carson. Oh. that is — thanks awfully. Slip her. 
We'll call it square. 

(They shake hands.) 

Helen. Say, T think you are an awfully funny 
fellow. Jack. 



22 FOR OLD ELL 

Cabson. Do you? Well I think you are an 
awfully nice girl — Helen. 
Helen. Do you ? Slip her. 

{They shake hands.) 

Helen. But tell me, what do you do in the track 
meet ? 

Carson. Oh, I run the hundred and two-twenty. 

Helen. Is that so? I thought Alice &^.id you 
ran the mile; that Mr. McCarty had said that you 
were a comer; that some day Jack Ludlow would be 
as great a runner as Captain Walker. 

Carson. That is mighty nice of Alice to say that. 
You see it is this way; I used to run the mile, but 
just at the last minute I have been switciied to the 
sprints. 

Helen. Oh, I see. {pause) It was too bad we 
missed each other at the dance at St. Margaret's last 
year, but really it wasn't my fault. 

Carson. Eh — yes, yes, I was awfully sorry, but 
truly it was impossible for me to go. 

Helen. Why, Mr. Ludlow, I tliought you were 
there. 

Carson. Oh — why — yes I was there, of course I 
was. I — ah — was thinking of anotlier dance. 

Helen. Oh, let me see, what was tlie name of the 
man you brought with you from Andover? 

Carson. Why — wliy — that was — ah — that was— 
Gorman, yes. Bill Gorman. He's in ITnrvard now. 

Helen. Is that so? I thouglit hiis v.-.wuis was 
something like — Keating, yes, Keating, that was it 
I am sure. Alice had an awful crush on him. 

Carson. Oh yes, it was Keating that time. It 
was Gorman the other time. 

Helen. Why, I didn't know you were there but 
for one dance. 

Carson. Oh no, I didn't mean St. Margaret's. 
Ha, ha! Did you think I meant St. Margaret's? 



FOR OLD ELI. 23 

Oh no. It was to the Bradford Academy dance that 
Gorman went with me. 

Helen. Oh, 1 see. 

Carson. Say, you're all right ! Do you know I 
believe I could nearly fall in love with you — H — 
Helen. 

Helen. Nearly ? 

Carson. No, completely, head over heels, down 
and out. 

Hele>^ Do you tell every girl that the first ten 
minutes you have known her? 

Carson. Well I should say not. It takes at least 
half an hour to tell some. 

Helen. (pouting) Oh! You — you — (sud- 
denly) My gracious, Jack ! Do you know what I 
am doing? 

Carson. No, what? 

Helen. Something awful. 

Carson. Something awful? 

Helen. I should say so! I am sitting in a 
college man's room without a chaperone. 

Carson. Is that all? I thought it was some- 
thing awful. 

Helen. Isn't that enough? And we haven't 
been introduced ! 

Carson. Do you think we need an introduction 
—Helen ? 

Helen. May be not Jack. 

Carson. Slip her! 

(They shake hands.) 

Helen. But my, oh, T must go now. What on 
earth would Mrs. Fairfield pny? I had forgotten all 
al^out the others. Where are they? 

Carson. Oh, don't go, please. They will be back 
soon. They went to hunt you. And — and I have 
eomething to tell you. Miss Beckwith. 

Helen, (roqnetfishlv) "Who? 

Carson. I — I didn't mean to say that — H — 



24 FOR OLD ELI. 

Helen. It is awfully nice of you to let me call you 
that, but — i)ut — perhaps you won't want me to when 
I tell you. 

{She sits on diair n. of desk, places elbows on desk 
and hmd in lutnds in exaggerated listening atti- 
tude.) 

Helex, My gracious! Wliat can it be? 

Carson. Jt — ifs pretty serious business, and I 
had no idea where it was- leading me; or I never 
should have done it. , 

Helen, (mock seriousness) Oh dear, I just 
know you ha\e killed a man, or at least robbell a 
bank! 

Caeson. Please be serious. Keally, I am aufuily 
sorry, and I want you to say yon will for<?ive me. 

Helen. Well, if it is nothing worse than I said, 
I shall try. 

Carson. It is just this; my name is not Ludlow, 
it is Carson. 

Helen. ( rising ) What? 

Carson. Oh, don't be angry with me, it was 
just a little joke, and I — I 

Helen. Yes, I should say it was a joke! 

Carson. Really, I had no idea what I was doing, 
and you know you gave me the opportunity; you 
thought I was Ludlow at first. 

Helen. Yes, that is just like a man, to lay all 
the blame on a woman ! 

Carson. I am awfully sorry, Miss Beckwith, I 
— I don't know why I did it — oh — 1 knuw you will 
always hate me^and — and 

Helen. No, Mr. Carson, T sliall not hate you ; 
that would be too much trouble. I shall simply 
ignore your very existence ! 

Carson. But isn't it something that T told you ? 
Would you not have thought less of me had I not? 

{Elder Alice and Walker r. c.) 



FOR OLD ELI. 25 

Helen. I could not have thought less of you 

than 1 do now. 

(Alice starts to speak, hut sees something is wrong 
and stops. Helen goes to her, throws her arms 
around her neck and cries. Carson starts to- 
ward them.) 



CURTAIN". 
ACT ir. 

Scene: — Famous Yale fence in front of Vanderlilt 
Hall, Yale University. Twilight of the evening 
before the Yale-Harvard Track Meet. Gwen 
is concealed hehi7id tree r. 
Enter Ludlow l. He looks all around. Whistles 
as if calling, starting with long, high note and 
descending scale rapidly. He crosses R., ivhistles 
again, returns, takes out watch. 
Ludlow. It's past seven now, she ought to be 
here. 

(Gwen whistles in the same manner as Ludlow. 

He ivhirls around and looks.) 

Ludlow. Gad, I thought I heard her whistle. 

(He comes lack l. and she ivhistles again. He 

whirls again and sees her dress.) 

Ludlow. Ah, there you are. 

(She comes out from leliind tree laughing.) 

Ludlow. I was afraid you w^eren't going to come. 
(He starts to climh over fence.) 

Gwen. You wei-e late yourself — no, you stay on 
that side of the fence, please. Distance lends en- 
chantment, you know. 

Ludlow. Well, it certainly doesn't in this case. 
Ah, please let me come over there. I'll be good. 



2G FOR OLD ELI. 

GwEN. Isn't it enough that I met you here? 

Ludlow. Of course it's a lot, but it's not enough. 
I'm coming over. 

{He puts Ids hands on fence) 

GwEN. Don't you do it. 

Ludlow. Yes, I am. {he leaps fence) 

GwEN. {retreating) Now, Jack Ludlow, you go 
right back over that fence, or I'll go home. 

Ludlow, {climbing back) Oh, all right; but 
it's mighty hard on a fellow when I haven't seen 
you alone for over a week. 

GwEN. My gracious, what do you want? 

Ludlow. You know, Miss Gwen, that I — I — love 
you, that I — I — ah, hang it all — T — I 

GwEN. {giggling) You — you — what? 

Ludlow. It's Just like this; I am getting sick 
and tired of having that great big lobster hanging 
around you all the time. I want you to decide 
pretty soon which one you care for. 

GwEN. Oh my, I care for both of you. 

Ludlow. No, that won't — {dejectedly) — Oh, 
I'm going down to the harbor and jump in. 

GwEN. Oh no, please don't. 

Ludlow. Yes, I'm going to. 

GwEN. But what would Yale do without you in 
— in — the two mile — high jump? 

Ludlow. There you go again. You don't care 
a rap for me; you can't even remember what I do 
in the meet, and I have told you a dozen times. 

GwEN. Oh yes, I do, but I don't see how anyone 
can remember those things. 

Ludlow. Well, I'll jump into the harbor after 
the meet anyway, {suddenly) How many dances 
are you going to give me at Alice's to-morrow 
night. 

GwEN". {teasingly) You won't want any if you 
jump into the harbor, will you? 

Ludlow. Well, I'll wait till after the dance, if 
you will give me the most dances, will you ? 



FOR OLD ELI. 27 

GwEN. Oh I don't know, wait till to-morrow 

night. 

Ludlow. No, I want to know now. 

GwEN. Well, I'll tell you what we'll do. it wiU 
be perfectly jolly! 

Ludlow. What? 

GwEN. (melodramaUcaUy) It will be like the 
knicrhts of old going forth upon the lists to do battle 
for^'their lady-loves. I will give the most dances 
to the one who does the most for Yale m the meet 
to-morrow. 

Ludlow. Will you, sure? 

GwEN. Yes, won't it be fun ? , , , , . 

Ludlow, {dejectedly) Oh, but— but hes m 
two events, and I'm in only one. 

GwEN. Oh gracious, that doesn't make any dif- 
ference. You may do more in one than he can in 

'' Ludlow. Oh, all right, but you will give me the 
first dance anyway, won't you? ^ „ ^ -l x t -ir 

GwEN. Oh dear, I can't promise that, but 1 will 
tell you what I will do; I will give the first dance 
to the one who asks me first after the music starts. 

Ludlow. Oh, all right, but I don't think it is 
quite isiiv— {takes out watch) My Gad, I must 
hustle ! 

GwEN. Oh don't go, Mr. Ludlow. 

Ludlow. Yes I must. But look here, Miss 
Gwen, didn't you say you would call me by my 
first name? 

Gwen. Did I? , i ^ 

Ludlow. Yes you did. Don't you remember last 
summer down at the shore? But really I must 

Gwen. Oh, very well, Mr. Ludlow, if that is all 
you care about me, you had better go. , , . 

Ludlow. Oh now, Miss Gwen, that isn t fair. 
You don't understand; Carson's up— no, I mean- 
well, I have got to get back to the room right away. 



2S FOR OLD ELI. 

GwEN. Oh, all right, Mr. Ludlow, don't let me de- 
tain you. 

Ludlow. Oh by Jove, if it weren't for Carson 
I'd never go. But I'll win to-morrow if it kills me, 
and then you will be sorry. 

GwEN. That would be better than jumping in 
the harbor, Mr. Ludlow. 

Ludlow. Well, if T do win, I'll get the most 
— well, good-bye. (lie holds out Jiis hand) 

GwEN. Good-bye, Mr. Ludlow. 

Ludlow. Won't you shake hands? 

GwEiSr. Oh certainly. {They sJuihe hands.) 

Ludlow. Good-bye, Gwen, remember! (He 
runs away l.) 

GwEN. (stamping foot) There, I know he 
doesn't care a rap for me. I wonder if it was sonse 
other girl. Anyway I like hammer — hammer — oh 
dear, I don't know what they call it, sometliing about 
hammers or anvils or shots — anyway I like them 
best, {loolcs at ivatch) Mr. Campbell was to be 
here at seven-thirty; it's nearly that now. "\^n"iat 
am I to do till he comes? I wonder if anyone 
would see me if I climbed this fence. (*S^/;e runs 
L. and looJcs,' then r. and tools, and then very lahor- 
iovsly dimhs fence) There, (she tool's r.) My 
gracious, here he comes now ! How am I to get back 
behind that tree? [she craivls under fence and hides 
hehind tree) 

{Enter Campbell r. He tools cdl around. Whistles 
in same manner as Ludlow. lie crosses l., 
whistles again, returns, talces out watch.) 

Campbell. It's past seven-thirty now; she ought 
to be here. 

(Gwen whistles in the same manner as Campbell. 
He whirls and loolcs.) 

Campbell. Gad, I thought I heard her whistle! 
{He comes hacTc l. She ivhistles again. He ivhirls 
agavn and sees her dress.) 



FOR OLD ELI. 29 

Campbell. Ah, there you are. 

(She comes out from behind tree laughing.) 

Campbell. I was afraid you weren't going to- 
come. 

(He starts to climh fence.) 

GwEN. No, you stay on that side of the fence 
please. Distance lends enchantment, you know. 

Campbell. Well, not here, Miss Gweu. Ah, please 
let me play in your yard. 

GwEN. Isn't it enough that I met you here? 

Campbell. No, it's not. I'm coming over. 

{He puts hands on fence.) 

GwEN, Don't you do it. 
Campbell. Yes, I am. 

(He leaps fence.) 

Gwen". (retreating) Now, William Campbell, 
you go right back over that fence or I'll go home. 

Campbell, (climbing back) Oh, all right, but 
it's mighty hard on a fellow when I haven't seen you 
alone for over a week. 

Gwen. My gracious, what do you want? 

Campbell. You know, Miss Gwen, that I — love 
you, that I — T — oh hang it all, I — I — — 

Gwen. (giggling) You — you — what? 

Campbell. It's just this ; I am getting sick and 
tired of having that little runt hanging around you 
all the time. I want you to decide pretty soon which 
one you care for. 

Gwen. Oh my, I care for both of you. 

Campbell. No, that won't — (dejectedly) — oh 
I'm going down to the harbor and jump in. 

Gwen. Oh no, please don't. 

Campbell. Yes, I'm going to. 

Gwen. But what would Yale do without you in 
the — the — hammer — run ? 

Campbell. There, I knew you didn't care for me. 



30 FOR OLD ELI. 

You don't even remember what I do in the meet, and 
I have told you a hundred times. 

GwEN. Oh yes, I do, but 1 don't see how any- 
one can remember those things. 

Campbell. Well, I'll jump into the harbor after 
the meet anyway, (suddenly) How many dances 
are you going to give me at Alice's to-morrow night ? 

GwEN. (teasinghj) You won't want any if you 
jump into the harbor, will you ? 

Campbell. Well, I'll wait till after the dance if 
you will give me the most dances. Will you? 

GwEN. (laughing) Oh I don't know, wait till 
to-morrow night. 

Campbell. No, I want to know now. 

GwEN. Well I'll tell you what we'll do ! It will 
be perfectly jolly ! 

Campbell. What ? 

GwEN. (melodramatically) It will he like the 
knights of old going forth upon the lists to do battle 
for their lady-loves. I will give the most dances 
to the one who does the most for Yale in the meet 
to-morrow. 

(Enter Carson l. heliind fence.) 

Campbell. Will you, sure? 

Carson. Oh, hello here! This is getting to be 
quite a trysting place. I thought I saw Ludlow ■ 

GwEN. (suddenly stepping forward and shaking 
hands) Oh, how do you do, Mr. Carson? 

Carson. Wliy, how do you do, Gwen, how do you 
do ? I was just thinking as I came up Chajiel Street 
what a fine evening it would be for a stroll with a 
nice pretty little girl. 

(He offers her his arm and they cross l.) 

Gwen. (giggling) Oh, Mr. Carson ! 
Campbell, (watching) Well, I'll be damned! 
Carson. Yes, so I just thought I'd come across 
the campus and see if I could find you. 



FOR OLD ELI. 31 

{He watches Campbell who is pacing up and doivn 
in fury.) 

GwEN. (giggling) Oh, Mr. Carson, I'm afraid 
you're — you're jollying me. 

Carson. Well I should say not. Far be it from 
me. 

(Campbell crosses to tliem.) 

Campbell. Oh I say, Carson 

Carson. Oh fade away, fade away — (Campbell 
turns and loaRs bach) As I was saying, Gwen, I 
thought I'd cross the campus and see if I could find 
you 

Gwen. (eagerly) Yes? 

Carson. And see if you would take a stroll with 
me down to the harbor and see the sun set 

(Campbell crosses to them.) 
Campbell. Oh T say, Carson, can't you- 



Carson. Oh forget it, forget it ! Can't you see 
this is my busy day? (Campbell crosses e. more 
furious than ever) Where was I? Oh yes, to see 
the sun set — (he lools r. and sees Armstrong and 
Helen coming) By Jove! Oh I say. Beef, come 
here. (Campdell turjis and crosses quickly) Come 
on you two, fade away noAV. (he jerls his head 
toward Armstrong and Helen. Campbell and 
Ov.'en tool-) 

Gwen. Oii, Mr. Carson, I just knew you were 
jollying me. 

(Carson watclies Helen and Armstrong, and does 
not pay any attention to ivhat Gwen has said.) 

Gwen. But how am I to get over the fence? 
Carson. Oh that's easy enough. 

(Carson picl-s her up and lifts her over. She takes 
Campbell's arm.) 

Carson. Now run along like good children. 



32 FOR OLD ELI. 

(He crosses to tree r. and sits on fence whistling as 
Campbell and Gwen walk away l.) 

GwEN. {over her shoulder) Good niglit, Mr. 
Carson. 

Campbell. But you will give me the first dance 
anyway, won't you, Miss Gwen? 

{They are off the stage when this speech ends.) 

{Enter Armstrong and Helen. Armstrong nearer 
fence.) 

Armstrong. Yes, Miss Beckv/ith, I think we sl^all 
win all right, but it certainly will be close. 
(Carson gets down from fence and takes off hat.) 

Carson. How do? Nice evening. How do, Miss 
Beckwith ? 

(Helen i-aises her chin and walks past witJiouf saying 
a word.) 

Armstrong. Oh, hello, Dick! Playing solitaire? 

Carson. Yes, but I'd rather play doubles. (He 
motions to Armstrong and draivs him to one side) 
I say, kid, won't you fade away and give me a 
chance ? 

Armstrong. Well I should say not ! VvHiat do 
you take me for? 

Carson. Ah, come on, I'm a good friend of 
yours. You remember the little peach I introduced 
you to down at the sliore last summer? 

Armstrong. I know, but then 

Helen. Are you coming, Mr. Armstrong? 

Armstrong, {starting toward her) Certainly — 

Carson. Wait a minute, kid. What'll you take 
to clear out — skiddoo — vamoose — twenty-three? 

Armstrong, {mock seriousness) I am beyond 
bribery, sir — unless the price is large enough. 

Carson. I'll give you any one of my pipes. 

Armstrong. Not enough. 

Carson. I'll give you my bulldog. Handsome 
Dan, 



FOR OLD ELI. 33 

Armstrong. Oli no, uothiug like that. He took 
the seat out of one pair of trousers for me. 

Carson. Great heavens, man! What will you 
take? 

Ar]MSTRONG. Will you lend me your yacht when- 
ever I want it? 

Carson. Yes, yes. 

Armstrong. And your machine? 

Carson. Sure. 

Armstrong. And your polo pony? 

Carson. Yes, yes, take everything I've got and 
clear out. 

Armstrong. All right. But what'll I tell her? 

Carson. Any old thing. Tell her you're sick. 
Tell her you forgot your collar button. 

Armstrong. All right, here goes, (he crosses to 
Helen, Carson watches) Excuse me just a minute, 
Miss Eeckwith, won't you please? I want to run up 
to my room to get that — (he runs away l. lefore sha 
has Unie to say a word. She looks very much 
provolced. Carson crosses to her When Carson 
starts to speak she puts up her chin) 

Carson. I was just saying to Armstrong, Misg 
F.eckwith, that.it m4s such a pleasant evening, that 
1.0 one should stay in the house. What do you think 
about it? (she does not answer) Yes, that's right ; 
that's just the way I feel about it, so you see I came 
outside. And I thought nothing could be more de- 
lightful than a stroll "through the campus. You see 
these beautiful summer evenings, although summer 
evenings and some are not — (she tries to keep from, 
Janghing)—Sive so — Oh, go ahead and laugh, that's 
what 1 want you to do. That will break the ice. 
You know you want to. 

Helen. " I know T do not. 

Carson. Well the ice is cracked now that you 
have spoken, so let's smash it all to pieces. 

Helen. Your metaphors are rather ambiguous, 
Mr. Carson. 



^1 FOR OLD ELI. 

Carson. Fine ! You are getting along great. 
Ton will deliver a whole oration pretty soon. Come 
on now, we've talked about the weather 

Helen. You mean yr^u have talked about the 
areather. 

Carson. Oh, all right, just as you like, but let's, 
^nlk about something else. 

Helen. Ah, h^re ^s Mr. Armstrong. 

{Enter ^^rmstrong l. Carson falls hack.) 

Helen. T think we had better try to find the 
,)^,hers now, Mr- Armstrong. 
• Armstrong. All right. 

{She takes Armstrong's arm and they walk away l. 
Armstrong looks around at Carson and grins. 
Carson shakes fist at him.) 

Carson. Damn ! (pause) Well I guess I had 
better go over to the gym, and have the kid give me a 
little rub, and then turn in. 

(He walks away r.) 

{Students are heard singing, " Here's to Good Old 
Yale," gradually drawing nearer. Enter " Bub " 
Tuner, " Spud " Foster, " Skinny " Allison, 
'' Andy " Anderson, Jim D wight, Tom JIcCoy, 
" Ted " Jones, and " Ollie " Ollcott. All 
are singing and marching lock-step to music. 
On end of song they group themselves on fence.) 

Turner. Well, Ollie, how's the meet coming out ? 

Ollcott. Oh, we're going to win all right, I 
guess. 

Jones. I'm not so sure of that; Harvard has \ 
pretty speedy bunch this year. 

Foster. Oh, quit your knocking, Jones ! 

Jones. I'm not knocking, I'm merely stating 
facts. 

Foster. Well, if you can't state any more 
enthusiastic facts than that, you had better shut up. 



FOR OLD ELI. 35 . 

Jones. Well, haven't they a speedy bunch? 

Foster. What if they have? We've got a 
speedier. 

Ollcott. You bet we have ! Here's the way I've 
got it figured out ; Carson'll get the hundred, two- 
twenty and broad jump hands down ; Walker'U take 
the eight-eighty and mile easy; Beef will get the 
hammer, and probably second in the shot, and Dwight 
will get the pole vault. That gives us the majority 
of firsts, and with the seconds some of us dubs can 
land, we'll win out with a comfortable margin. 

Jones. That sounds well, but 

Foster. Ah shut up, Jones ! 

McCoy, {looking l.) There's "Bill" Baily; 
he's got quite a pile bet on the meet, so he has 
]^robably get it figured out pretty close, (calls) Oh, 
Eill Baily, come here a minute. 

Turner, (io Allison) You bet your life Carson 
is the man for Captain next year. He's won his 
fifteen points in every meet he's been in since he 
entered college. 

Allison. Yes, and I bet he'll come pretty close 
to the record this year in the hundred. 

(Enter Baily l.) 

Baily. How are you, fellows? What's the row? 

McCoy. Oh, we're just discussing the prospects 
for to-morrow. 

Baily. (sitting on fence) And wanted some ex- 
pert testimony? 

McCoy. Yes, we understood you had a pile bet. 

Baily. Well, yes, I have a few cents up. 

Turner. How much you got up. Bill ? 

Baily. Oh, I don't know, something over a thou- 
sand I guess. 

Jones. I bet you'll lose. 

Baily. (reaching for purse) Well, how much 
will you bet ? 

Jones. Oh, I'm not a betting character, but — '•^' 



86 FOR OLD ELI. 

Baily. Well, shut up theri;, money talks. 

McCoy. You must feel pretty confident anyway? 

Baily. Oh yes, reasonably so, if it wasn't for 
Carson. 

All. Carson ! 

Turner. Why, Carson is surer of his fifteen 
points than any other man on the team. 

Baily. I'm not so sure of that. Cap Walker 
told me yesterday he was stale, but he didn't look like 
it to me. 

Jones. See, what did I tell you? 

Foster. Oh hell! You didn't know anythinic 
about it before. Anyway I don't believe it. You 
just wait, Carson'll be there when the time comes. 

.;) ,',,n {Enter Allbright l.) 

Allbright. Good evening, gentlemen. 

All. Good evening Professor. Howdy, Prof. 
Etc., etc. 

Allbright. Don't you think you should be in 
your rooms conning your lessons for to-morrow, 
gentlemen? 

Baily. What! Study the night before the 
Harvard meet ! I should say not ! 

Allbright. Certainly, gentlemen, never neglect 
an opportunity for improving your minds. 
(He walks away r.) 

Baily. Say, fellows, why is old Allbright like a 
burgler ? 

McCoy. Here is one of Baily's bum jokes. 

Baily. Because he hates a crib. 

All. Eotten ! Kill him ! Throw him out I 
(Baily starts to sing "My Bonnie Lies Over The 
Ocean." They all join.) 

Foster, (after song) Say, Bill Baily, do you 
feel that badly about it? 

Baily. Oh, I had to get it out of my system. 
(Foster starts, " \Nh,en Freshmen First We Came To 
Yaler All join.) 



FOR OLD ELI. 37 

Baily. {after song) By Jove, that's worse than 
mine! 

McCoy. Yes, for Heaven's sake let's have some- 
thing a little more lively. i-' •-■ 

(Baily staris ) 

McCoy, {looking l.) Here comes Cap. Walker, 
we'll ask him about Carson. 

Baily. Long cheer for Cap Walker. 
All. 

Breka Co ax Co ax Co ax, 
Breka Co ax Co ax Co ax, 
0— up ! 0— up ! 
Para Baloo 
Yale ! Yale ! Yale ! 
Eah, Eah, Rah, Bah, Rah, Rah, Rali. Rah, Rah, 
Yale ! 
{Enter Walker l.) 
Walker. Thank you, fellows. 
McCoy. I say. Cap, we were just talking about 
Carson, {enter Mike r. No one sees him. He 
listens) Baily here says you said he is stale. How 
about it? 

Walker. Yes, I said he was. 
Jones. I told you so. 

McCoy. Ah, shut up, Jones ! Well, is that going 
to keep him from winning? 

{Enter Sport Hendricks r.) 
Mike. No, you bet your life it's not. He was 
stale yesterday, but he will be all right to-raorroAV, 
and you keep your eyes on him for. a record. 

All. {to each other) Fine! Great! Etc., etc. 
Hendricks. Well, gents, how's the money 
market? 

Baily. Vvhat odds are you giving now, Sport? 
Hendricks. Even money Harvard'll win. 
Baily. Oh T guess you may put me down for a 
couple of hundred more, {he taJces out a note-hooJc 
and jots down figures) 



33 FOR OLD ELI. 

Foster. I'd take some too, but the governor wrote 
the other day to go slow till after the panic. 

Ollcott. I soaked my watch yesterday ; my dress 
suit will go to-morrow. 

Hendricks, Any more, gents? 

McCoy, Walker, Dwight. That's all, Sport. 
Nothing doing. Nothing stirring. Sport. 

Hendricks. All right, gents. Sorry not to make 
a little more of your coin. So long. 

All. So long. Sport, etc. etc. 

(Exit Hendricks r.) 

Mike. Come on, you fellows, it's time for bed. 

McCoy. All right, Mike. 

Foster. Sure. 

Jones. Ah, it's early yet. 

Mike. You go right to bed, Jones, or I'll not let 
you run to-morrow. 

Jones, (leaving l.) Don't care much if you 
don't. 

McCoy. Come on. Spud. 

Foster. All right. 

McCoy. So long, fellows. 

Foster. Good night, boys. 

All. So long. Good night. Sweet dreams, Mac. 
Etc. etc. 

(Exit McCoy and Foster arm in arm L.) 

Ollcott. So long. 

Anderson. Good niglit. 

Dwight. (leaving r.) Be good, fellows. 

Walker. See you to-morrow, fellows. We've got 
to beat 'em you know. 

Ollcott. Sure. 

Anderson. So long. 

Dwight. You watch us. 

Turner. I say, Mike, I am a little sore in the 
calves. 

Mike. Well, go over to the gym, and have the kid 
rub you. 



FOR OLD ELI. 39 

Turner. All right. Come on along. Skinny. 
Allison. Sure. Good night, fellows. 
Walker. Good night. 
Baily. So long. 

(Exit Turner and Allison r.) 
Mike. Well, Cap, to-morrow's the day. 
Walker, (dejectedly) Yes, I know it is. 
Mike. Come on, kid, you talk like a funeral. 

{Laughter of girls is heard.) 

Walker. I feel like one. 

Mike. Cheer up, kid, you've got 'em skinned a 
mile this year. 

Walker. Well, I'd feel better about it if it were 
not for Carson. 

(Enter Helen, Alice, Gwen, Mrs. Fairfield, 
Campbell and Armstrong l.) 

Mike. You think more about yourself and win- 
ning the eight-eighty and mile, and less about Carson, 
and you will get along better; leave him to me. 
Walter tails to Mike.) 

Alice. There is Charley Walker and Mike 
McCarty. (she advances) Hello, Charley! (he 
raises his hat) How do you do, Mr. McCarty? 

Mike. Good evening, ]\Iiss. 

(Baily crosses, converses with Mrs. Fairfield, rais- 
ing hat to all.) 

Alice. Well, Mr. McCarty, how's the team? 

Mike. Never better, Miss; every man of 'em f.t 
as a fiddle. 

Alice. But Dick Carson, how is he? I heard — 
that is, Charley here told me he had gone stale. 

Mike. Don't you believe it. Miss, Dick Carson 
•was never in better shape in his life. 

Alice. Oh, I am awfully glad to hear it! 
(Walker looks angry. Helen and Armstrong are 
near fence.) 



40 FOR OLD ELI. 

Armstrong. Yes, Miss Betkvnth, this is the 
famous Yale Fence. 

Helen. Oh yes, I have lieard so much about it. 

Armstrong. You know it is the height of every 
Freshman's ambition to be able to sit on it. You see 
they are not allowed to while they are Freshmen 
until they have won something for Yale. 

Helen. Oh, I do hope- Dick — that is — Jack — I 
mean Mr. Ludlow, will win to-morrow ! 

{They converse near fence.) 

Campbell. Well, he is nothing but a Freshman. 

GwEN, Oh now, Mr. Campbell, that isn't a bit 
nice of you to say that. You were a Freshman four 
years ago. 

Campbell. But I wasn't such a little runt as he 
is. 

GwEN. Oh, give him time, Mr. Campbell, he may 
grow. 

Campbell. Look here, Miss Gwen, didn't you say 
you would call me by my first name? 

GwEN. Oh, did i ? 

{Tliey conoerse, Campbell very excitedly, Gwen" 
giggling.) 
Mike. Well, I must be goin'. Good night. Cap. 
Go to bed soon, and don't think so much about 
Carson. Good night, Miss. 

Alice. Good night, Mr. McCarty. Good luck 
for to-morrow. 

(Exit Mike r.) 

Walker. Look here, Alice, why are you so inter- 
ested in Carson? 

Alice. Why shouldn't I be iuterestt^d? Isn't he 
going to run for Yale ? 

Walker. Of course he is, but that is no reason 
you should take such an interest in him. I don't like 
"it a little. 

Alice. You are a pretty Captain, aren't you, 



FOR OLD ELI. 41 

telling me not to take so much interest in your tearnj 
anyway Dick Carson is one of my best friends, and — 
well, come, I think mother wants me. 

(She starts toward Mrs. ^'airfield. Walker fol- 
lows expostulating.) 

(Enter Ludlow r. very much excited.) 

Ludlow. Have any of you fellows seen Carson? 

(Helen tries to look disinterested.) 

All. No. 

Walker. Wliat's the matter, Ludlow? 

Ludlow. Come here you fellows and I'll tell you. 

(Campbell, Armstrong and Baily mahe excuses to 
ladies and draw apart.) 

Campbell. What's up, Fresh? 

Ludlow. Carson was drunk as a fool last night! 

All. What ! 

Armstrong. He was here just a minute ago. 

Ludlow. Well he was in the room last night, and 
I had a fierce time with him. Regular champagne 
drunk. I have been with him all day till about seven 
o'clock, when T went out to — to see a friend. (Camp- 
bell loolcs at GwEN suspiciously) He was sleeping 
then, and when I came back he was gone. 

Walker. I see our finish now. Gordon's laid 
up with the grippe, and Ollcott can't possibly get 
better than second. 

Mrs. Fairfield, (crossing to them) John, tell 
me what is the matter. 

Walker. Oh, Carson was drunk last night; that 
is all. 

Mrs. Fairfield. What, Eichard Carson! 

Alice. Dick Carson ! 

Gwen. Oh dear! 

(Enter Carson r.) 
Carson. Hello, everybody! Fine evening, I was 



43 FOR OLD ELI. 

just saying to — {no one speaks) What — what's the 
matter with you people? (pause. Mrs. Fairfiell 
walks to girls) 

Carson. I say you fellows look as if you had been 
to a funeral. 

Campbell. No, but we are going to one to- 
morrow, after Harvard gets through with us. It's 
up to you, Walker. 

(He rejoins girls.) 

Armstrong. Excuse me. 

Baily. Guess I'll have to be going too. 

{They rejoin girls. Ludlow advances and shakes 
hands with Carson.) 

Ludlow. I'll stand by you, old man. I — oh — it's 
a damn rotten shame. 

Carson. Thanks, kid. I don't know just what's 
up, but I appreciate it anyway. 

(Ludlow steps back toward fence. All listen.) 

Walker. Well, Carson, what have you got to say 
for yourself? 

Carson. I don't know just what you mean, 
but I will say that I have had just about enough of 
your bull-dozing. 

Walker. Yes, you are a pretty man to talk about 
bull-dozing, aren't you ? Carson, you and I have 
been mighty good friends. We have roomed to- 
gether nearly three years, and I never knew you to do 
a thing like that before at any time. Man, do you 
realize what you have done ? Do you know that you 
have lost the meet for us? Do you know that ju«t 
because you didn't have strength of character enough 
to keep from getting drunk (Carson starts) tiiat 
Yale will lose. You knew that it would be close at 
best. You knew we needed your fifteen points. I 
am done with you ! You are no Yale man ! You 
are a disgrace to Yale! 



FOR OLD ELI. 43 

(He turns on his heel and rejoins others. Carson 
tries to speak but seems to be overcome ivith 
emotion. He turns and walks to fence standing 
with back to audience.) 

Mrs. Fairfield. Come, I think that after this 
disgraceful affair we had better go, 

(All start across stage to r., Helen in rear. Car- 
son turns and watches them go. No one looks 
at him. Helen drops her handkerchief. Car- 
son jumps to pick it up.) 

Carson. Won't you listen to me, just a minute, 
please? I know I made an awful fool of myself 
yesterday, Miss Beekwith, and I want to ask you 
again to forgive me. I tried to get a chance to ask 
you when we were here a few minutes ago. But 
more than that I want you to understand about last 
night. 

Helen. There is nothing to understand, Mr. Car- 
Fon. You were intoxicated, that is enough. Deny it 
if you can. 

Carson. No, I can't deny it, but 

Helen. See, I told you, you couldn't deny it. 
(she starts to go) 

Carson. But — 'but — you — you — please let me ex- 
plain. 

Helen. No explanation is necessary. I might 
have forgiven you for what you did yesterday, but I 
could never forgive you for being drunk the day be- 
fore the Harvard Meet. Mr. Walker is right, you 
are not a Yale man, you are disgrace to Yale! 

(She walks away r. Carson bows his head.) 
CURTAIN. 



44 FOR OLD ELI. 



ACT III. 

Dressing-room Yale Track Team, Yale Field, New 
Haven, during the Yale-Harvard track meet. 
The room has a tier of lockers on the hack wall 
and another in the left wall. Tivo ruhhinq 
tables, L. and l. c. On the hack wall in the 
center is hung a large hlack-hoard, having two 
columns with Harvard at the top of one and 
Yale at the top of the other. There is a large 
door R, Before the rise of the curtain the 
famous Yale cheer is heard.) 

Breka Co ax Co ax Co ax, 

Breka Co ax Co ax Co ax, 

— up ! — up ! 

Para Baloo 

Yale! Yale! Yale! 

Rah, Eah, Rah, 

Rah, Rah, Rah, 

Rah, Rah, Rah, 

Yale ! 

(It is followed immediately by the Harvard cheer:) 

Harvard ! Harvard ! Harvard ! 

Rah, Rah, Rah, 

Rah, Rah, Rah, 

Rah, Rah, Rah, 

Harvard 1 

(On the rise of the curtain, the members of the Yale 
team. Turner, Foster, Allison, Anderson, 
DwiGHT, McCoy, Jones, Armstrong, Camp- 
bell, and LuDLOvr are seated on benches and 
standing. Carson is on rubbing table l. c, 
and Ollcott on rubbing table l.. Walker and 
Mike are standing talking r. Two swipes are 
standing by table.) 



FOR OLD ELI. 45 

(Enter Announcer Baily, r.) 

Baily. First call for high hurdles, shot put and 
high jump. Last call for hundred. 

(Carson and Ollcott sit up, Campbell and Mc- 
Coy stiind, Campbell carryiu;/ shot. Alli- 
son and DwiGiiT also prepare to go.) 

Mike. Just a word before you go out, you fel- 
lows. You've got to beat Harvard to-day ! You're 
going to beat 'em. But don't you think for one 
minute you are going to have a snap. You're not. 
See ! You've got to work for every inch you get. 
This is going to be one of the best meets ever held 
in New Haven, so look out for records. You 
pprintei-s come first. H's up to you, see! Win first 
and second in the hundred and you'll scare 'em to 
death. And you long distance men, you get your 
points! Walker, here, is good for ten points, we all 
know that, but you other fellows, don't you stop. 
Jones, if you don't get a point to-day, you will never 
run again. And you field men, just because your 
events don't look very good, don't think we don't 
need your points, so you get 'em, see! You're all in 
shape. Fve seen to that, so if you lose to-day it is 
because you are rotten. That's all. Cap Walker may 
have something to say. 

(Harvard cheer is heard outside.) 

Walker. Yes, I have. Tt is this: Do you hear 
that cheer? That's Harvard's cheer. Their men are 
coming out on the track now. (Yale cheer is 
heard) There! There! Do you hear that? That's 
the Yale cheer! Yale! Yale! Say, fellows, doesn't 
that thrill you? If you can't win now you don't de- 
serve to win. Some of you are Seniors the same as 
I am, but most of you are not. Some day maybe 
you will realize what it means to be waiting to go 
into the last race you will ever run for Yale. It is 
for Yale, fellows, for Old Eli. Oh, it means so much 



46 FOR OLD ELI. 

to me to win this meet to-day, but I am afraid, afraid, 
and you know why. It is because one of you is a 
disgrace to Yale. 

Cahson. (ju7i}ping up on the table) Stop! 
That will do, \Valker. Even if you are my captain, 
I will not stand for another insult from you. You 
in your pig-headed selfishness wouldn't listen to me 
when I tried to explain. And j^ou other fellows, you 
who have pretended to be my friends, wouldn't give 
me a chance to clear myself. All but a Freshman, 
Ludlow stood by me. Now, to hell with you ! I am 
a disgrace to Yale, am I? Well, I am done with 
you and Yale, too! (All start) No, don't think 
that I am not going to run. You bet your life I am 
going to run ! And I am going to win ! Win 1 
You watch me ! But it's not for you, damn you ! 
It's not for you, and it's not for Yale! It's for my 
old dad, who is sitting out there in the grandstand. 
He came all the way from Europe to see me win to- 
day, and you bet I shan't disappoint him. And you. 
Walker, will win your last meet in college, don't 
worry, and your vanity will be satisfied. Now watch 
me! 
(He jumps doivn and runs out r., followed hij 

Ollcott, Campbell and McCoy. Yale cheer 

is heard with three Carsons.) 

Mike. That's what he needed. 

(Tie goes to door, holding watch ready.) 
(Elder Baily, r.) 
Baily. First call for two mile, broad jump and 
pole vault. Last call for high hurdles, shot put and 
high jump. 

(Armstrong, Foster, Allison and Dwight leave 
R. Gun crack is heard. All watch from 
door.) 
Mike. Look at the kid go! I told you he was 
all ri":ht ! 



FOR OLD ELI. 47 

Crowd, {outside yelling) Carson, Carson, Car- 
son ! Turner, Turner, Turner ! Etc. 

Mike, {snapping watch) Six yards to the good ! 
Nine — three ! A record ! 1 knew the kid v/as 
there ! 

Bailt. {outside announcing) Hundred yard 
dash; Carson, Yale, first. Turner, Harvard, second. 
Time, nine and three-fifths seconds. 

{Swipe chalks up points. Harvard 3. Yale 5. Loud 
cheering.) 

{Enter Ollcott. He crosses to corner l.) 

Walker. Hard lines, Ollie, old boy. Better luck 
in the two-twenty. 

{Gun cracks, Mike snaps watch. All look.) 

Mike. They're off in the hurdles ! Oh, hell, that 
was a rotten start ! 

Walker. Look at Armstrong come now ! 

Crowd, {outside cheering) Yale, Yale, Arm- 
strong. Harvard, Harvard, Pearsol ! Etc. 

Mike, {snapping tvatch) Rotten! Only second 
place. Fifteen-four, and he's done fifteen-three. 

Baily, {outside announcing) One hundred and 
twenty yard hurdles. Pearson, Harvard, first. Arm- 
strong, Yale, second. Time, fifteen and four-fifths 
seconds. 

{Swipe chalks up points. Harvard 8. Yale 8. 
Loud Harvard cheering outside.) 

Baily. {outside announcing) Shot put, won 
Ijy Ealston, Harvard ; Campbell, Yale, second. Dis- 
tance, forty-six feet, four and one-half inches. 

{Swipe chalks up points. Harvard 13. Yale 11. 
Loud Harvard cheering outside.) 

Baily. {outside announcing) Running high 
jump, Ferris, Harvard, first; Allison, Yale, second. 
Height, six feet, two inches. 



48 FOR OLD ELI. 

(Swipe chalks up points, Harvard 18. Yale 14. 
Loud Harvard cheering outside.) 

{Enter Campbell, McCoy, Allison, Armstrong, 
Foster and Dwight.) 

Walker. Nice work, Beef! (Campbell ^rrunf.*?) 
Hard luck, Artie, do better next time. Allison, 3011 
ought to have had the high. 

Allison. I know it, but I couldn't get my take- 
off. 

Mike. Why didn't Carson come in? 

Campbell. Don't know, guess he is going to 
Jump first. Talking to his dad I think. 

{Enter Baily.) 

Baily. First call for the eight-eighty and ham- 
mer throw. Last call for the two mile, broad jump 
and pole vault. 

{Exit Turner, Allison and Dwigiit.) 

(Ludlow is seen to he very nervous. He and Jones 

are preparing to go.) 

Walker, {to Ludlow shaking hands) Come on, 
kid, it is up to you now. We have confidence in 
you. 

Ludlow. I'll do my best, Cap. 

Mike. Now, Jones, remember whnt I told you. 
And you too, kid. Stick right to Miller like a leech. 
Don't let him get away from you for one second. 
And then when you come to the last hundred — give 
him hell. 

{Exit Ludlow and Jones r.) 

Campbell, {looking at hoard) Eighteen to four- 
teen ! That's rotten. 

Mike. That's all right, you get in and win the 
hammer now and it will help some. 

{Gun crack is heard. Mike snaps watch.) 

Mike. They're off! Yes, the kid has a good 
place. 



FOR OLD ELI. 49 

Baily. {outside announcing) Eunning broad 
jump, won by Carson, Yale; Horton, Harvard, 
second. Distance, twenty-four feet, two and one-half 
inches. 

(Swipe chalks up points, Harvard 21. Yale 19. 
Loud Yale cheering.) 

CAMrBELi/. Well, Carson is doing pretty fair 
even if he was drunk Wednesday. 

Armstrong. I should say so. 

Campbell. Do you know, I more than half be- 
lieve we made a mistake. 

Armstrong. What mistake could there he? 

Campbell. Oh, I don't know. Ludlow was prob- 
ably twisted. 

Mike, (watching from door) My, what a pace, 
the first mile in four-fifty ! But the kid is hanging 
on great. 

Crowd, (outside cheering) Harvard, Harvard, 
Miller, Ludlow, Ludlow, Yale! Etc. 

Baily. (outside announcing) Pole vault, 
Dwight, Yale, first. Allison, Yale, second. Height, 
twelve feet, one inch. 

(Fellows in room get excited.) 
(Stvipe challcs up points, Harvard 21. Yale 27.) 

Walker. That looks better. If Ludlow could 
only win this it would fix us. 

(Enter Dwight and Allison.) 

Walker. Fine work, Dwight, I knew you could 
do it. (Shales hands) You, too, Allison. I am 
proud of you both. (Shahes hands with Allison) 

Mike. There they go into the last lap. They are 
going to make it better than nine-fifty. That Miller 
is a wonder. 

Armstrong. But look at the kid stick ! 

Mike. You watch him in another year. 

Crowd, (outside cheering) Miller, Miller, Lud- 
low, Ludlow! Etc. 



ho FOR OLD ELI. 

Armstrong. There Miller goes on his sprint. 
{Cheering keeps up) The kid's still with him. By 
Gad, he's going around him ! He's doing it, he's 
doing it ! My Gad, what a finish ! 

Mike, {snapping watch) Nine-forty-seven. 

{Fellows in roof get excited. Loud Yale cheering 
outside.) 

Baily. {outside announcing) Two mile run, 
won by Ludlow, Yale, second Miller, Harvard. Time, 
nine minutes and forty-seven seconds. 
{Swipe chalhs up points, Harvard 84. Yale 32.) 

(lEnter Ludlow and Jones. Ludlow supported hy 
Baily and Turner. He lies down on rubbing 
., . table.) 

c- Walker, {shal-ing hands icith him) Nice work, 

kid, we're proud of you. 

i' Ludlow. Thanks, old man. 

Baily. Last call for eight-eighty and hammer 
throw. First call for four-forty and low hurdles. 

(Walker, Campbell and McCoy start to leave.) 

Baily. Nice work, you fellows. Keep it up and 
I'll set you up to the swellest feed in town when I get 
my thousand. Fizz water, too. 

Campbell. All right, kid, I haven't had anything 
to eat for a year. 

{Exit Campbell and McCoy.) 

Mike. Now, Cap, go to it. Take the pole and 
hold it all the way. 

Walker. All right, Mike. 

{Exit Walker and Baily r.) 

Mike. Here's five points anyway. 

{Yale cheer for Walker is heard. Gun cracks. 
Mike snaps watch.) 

Armstrong. Gad, what a start ! What does that 



FOR OLD ELI. 51 

man Tedford think he's doing? Running a hundred 
yard dash ? Ah, Cap's got the pole now. They cer- 
tainly are going some. 

Mike. They'll beat one-fifty-five if they keep that 
np. 

Armstrong. There, Cap's slowing up just a bit. 

Crowd, {outside clieerhig) Harvard, Harvard, 
Tedford ! Walker, Walker, Yale, Yale ! 

Mike. First quarter in fifty-five! 

Armstrong. Say, that is great. Cap certainly is 
the goods ! 

Mike, {to Swipe) Here, kid, run out and tell 
Carson to come in and get a rub before the two- 
twenty. 

{Exit Swipe.) 

Armstrong, {clutching Mike's arm) My Gad, 
what's the matter with Cap? He's limping! (All 
look) He's fallen. No, he's up again. No, he's 
down for good ! 

{Groan from All. Exit Mike hurriedly.) 

Dwight. He must have sprained his ankle. 
That fixes us. 

Ludlow. And he won't be able to run the mile. 

{Enter Walker supported hy Mike and Swipe.) 

Mike, {to Swipe) A bucket of hot water, 
quick ! 

(Walker sits on bench. Exit Swipe.) 

LuDLO'vv. Whsit is it. Cap? 

Walker. I stepped in a starting hole and 
sprained my ankle. 

Armstrong. Can't you run the mile? 

Walker. Yes, I'll be all right in a few minutes. 

Baily. {outside announcing) Eight-eighty yard 
run won by Tedford, Harvard; Funston, Harvard, 
second. Time, one minute, fifty-nine and one-fifth 
seconds. 



62 FOR OLD ELI. 

{Loud Harvard cheers outside. Swipe chalks up 
points. Harvard 32. Yale 32.) 

(Other Swipe brings bucket of hot water and they 
bathe Walker's ankle.) 

Mike. I am afraid it is all off, Cap, you can't step 
on that. 

Walker. Oh, I'll step on it. You keep on bath- 
ing it. 

(Enter Baily.) 

r Baily. Last call for the four-forty and low 
hurdles. First call for the two-twenty yard dash and 
mile. (He crosses to Walker) Hard luck, old 
Can. How it is? Is it all off? 

Walker. No, sir, I am going to run yet. 

Baily. (leaving) Gad, I hope so, or good- 
bye for muh. 

(Exit Baily, Foster, Anderson and Armstrong.) 

Ollcott. Andy will give Bradford all he wants 
in the four-forty, but then he can't do much in the 
hurdles. 

(Gun crack is heard. All look but Walker and 
Mike.) 

Ollcott. Bradford's got the pole. Gad, what a 
pace ! But Andy is sticking in great shape. 

Crowd, (outside cheering) Harvard, Harvard, 
Yale, Yale! etc. (long) 

Mike. How does it feel now, Cap? 
j,'->yALivER. It hurts some yet, but it will be all 
right. Keep on bathing it. 

Ollcott. Oh, he's got Andy, he can't get better 
tjlian second. 

' (Harvard cheering. All turn away dejectedly.) 

V/alker. What did he get? 

Ollcott. Only second. That puts them ahead 

a^ain. 



FOR OLD ELI. 53 

Baily. (outside announcing) Four-forty yard 
dash won by Bradford, Harvard ; Anderson, Yale, 
second. Time, forty-nine and one-fifth seconds. 

(Swipe chalJcs up points. Harvard 37. Yale 35. 
Harvard cheering.) 

Walker. How's the hammer throw? 

Ollcott. Beef's away ahead, and McCoy was 
pushing Hadley hard. There I think Baily is going 
to announce it. 

Baily. (outside announcing) Hammer throw, 
Campbell, Yale, first ; Hadley, Harvard, second. Dis- 
tance, one hundred and sixty-one feet, four and 
one-half inches. 

(Fellows in room get excited. Loud Yale cheering.) 

(Swipe chalhs up points. Harvard 40. Yale 40.) 

DwiGHT. Tied again, Gad, this is close! 

(Enter Foster dejectedly. He crosses to corner and 
sits.) 

Ollcott. Hard luck, Foster. They are going out 
for the start of the hurdles. 

(Enter Campbell and McCoy.) 

Walker. Great work. Beef. Hard luck, Tom. 

Campbell, (sitting on bench) Thanks, I am 
not going to work again for a year. How's the 
ankle? 

Walker. Better, thanks. 

(Enter Baily.) 

Baily. Last call for the two-twenty yard dash. 
(Crosses to Walker) I've had the referee put off 
the mile for a few minutes on account of your ankle. 

Walker. Thanks, kid. 

(Gun craclc is heard.) 
Baily. There they go in the hurdles. I must 
hustle. 



54 i''OK OLD EIJ. 

(Exit Baily and Ollcott. All luatch.) 

DwiGHT. Oh, it's all off. Armstrong never could 
run the low hurdles, and Andy is too tired after the 
four-forty. 

Allison. Just wait, he may get a place yet. 

Croavd. (outside cheering) Harvard, Harvard, 
Manning, Pearson ! etc. 

(All turn away dejectedly.) 

Walker. How about it? 

DwiGiiT. Both first and second. 

Walker. Harvard ? 

DwiGHT. Yes. 

Walker. Let me try it now. (He tries to step 
on foot, hut sinhs baclc to bench toith a groan) Get 
some more hot water. 

{Exit tSAViPE, returning in minute iciih hot water.) 

Baily. {outside announcing) Two-twenty yard 
liurdles won by Pearson, Harvard ; Manning, Har- 
vard, second. Time, twenty-five and one-fifth 
seconds. 
(Swipe chalks up points. Harvard 48. Yale 40.) 

Campbell. Gad, that is rotten ! Eight points 
ahead ! Can't something be done ! 

(Enter Baily, Andersox and Armstrong.) 
Baily. How is it. Cap ? Can you run ? 
Walker. Yes, I'll run yet. Put on the adhesive, 
Mike. 

(Mike takes the adhesive plaster and puts it on. 
Gun crack is heard.) 
Baily. There goes the two-twenty. 
(Exit Baily. All watch. Cheering outside.) 
Campbell. Look at the kid come, would you ! 
Speed! Carson could beat a cyclone! 

'Dwigiit. And look at Ollcott, too. If we get 
first and second that ties us up again. 



FOR OLD ELI. 55 

Crowd. {outside cheering) Carson, Carson, 
Ollcott! Etc. 

Campbell. By Gad, they've done it ! 

Walker. What is it? 

Campbell. First and second. 

Walker. For us? 

Campbell. You bet your life. 

Baily. (outside announcing) Two hundred and 
twenty yard dash, won by Carson, Yale; Ollcott, 
Yale, second. Time, twenty-one and three-fifths 
seconds. The score is now tied forty-eight each. 

(Swipe chalks up points. Harvard 48. Yale 48.) 

Walker. All right, now watch me. (He tries to 
stand, hut again sinks to bench ivitk a groan) Get 
me a pair of tennis shoes. I'll try them. 

Mike. You can't run in tennis shoes. Cap. 

Walker. Let me try 'em. 

Mike. All right. 

(He gets tennis shoes and helps Walker put them 
on. Enter Baily.) 
Baily. Last call for the mile. They won't put 
it off any longer. Come on, old kid, win this and 
we've got 'em skinned. 

(All iuatch Walker as he tries to stand. Enter 
Carson. He watches too. Walker gets up 
and steps on foot carefully. Takes step, grits 
teeth, takes another and si7iks to floor with 
a groan. 
DwiGiiT. Oh, that settles our hash ! 

(All look dejected.) 
Campbell, (to Ludlow) I guess it's up to you, 
kid. 

Walker, (getting up and standing supported by 
Mike) No, Ludlow has done his share, and he is 
dead tired. It would kill him to run another mile. 
There is no one here who has trained for the long 
distance, but Jones. 



5G FOR OLD ELI. 

Jones. Ob, I can't run the mile. 

Walker. No, I wasn't going to ask you to, Jones. 
We know 3'on can't run anything. But, fellows, it is 
up to one of you. It's for Yale, fellows, Yale ! Old 
Eli is calling. 1 can't go, I am worse than no man. 
But she needs someone, som.eone who dares enter that 
race. Someone who will stand the gatf. Who will 
run the mile? 

Carson. I will. 

All. Y'ou ! 

Carson. Y"es, I. 

Walker. Why, Carson, you can't do it. Y'ou 
never ran over a four-forty in your life. 

Carson. That doesn't make any difference. Yale 
needs me, and it is for Old Eli this time. 

(Exit Carson. All start for door.) 

Mike. Wait a minute you fellows. There goes 
the greatest athlete Yale ever saw, yes, and the 
whitest man, and you fellows turned him down with- 
out a hearing, and now look what he is doing for you 
and Yale. You are a pretty bunch, ain't you? What 
th' hell if he was drunk. (Yale cheers is heard very 
loud with three Carsons) There, the crowd sees he 
is going to run. Hear that cheer? Did you ever 
hear it given louder? Now all of you go out and 
help him win. 

(Gun crack is heard. Mike snaps watch. All exit 
but Mike and Walker. Mike starts to go.) 

Walker. Let me have the watch, ilike. 

Mike. All right. 

(He hands watch to Walker and exits.) 

Walker. Mike is right, he is the whitest man 
in Yale. Yes, and the whitest man God ever made, 
and I, I didn't trust him. What if he was drunk, 
maybe there was a reason. That girl ! Miss Beck- 
with ! He seems pretty hard hit. And I said he was 



FOR OLD ELI. 57 

a disgrace to Yale. Ob, I was a selfish cad. Can 1 
ever make it right with liim? 

Crowd (outside cheering) Harvard, Harvard! 
Newman, Newman ! Yale, Yale ! Carson, Carson ! 
Etc. 

Walker. There, there, they must be at the end 
of the first lap. (He hobbhs over to door) YeSj 
there they go. (Looks at watch) Sixty seconds! 
The first quarter must have been close to fifty-six_, 
and the kid is sticking like a leech. If he can only 
stand the gafi' till the last two-twenty he will win on 
\\h nerve. Poor old Yale has only one man in this. 
Two to one. 

(" Bright College Years" is started. He hobbles to 
feet.) 

Walker. There, there, they are singing, "Bright 
College Years." Now he will run. (Pause) There 
they are at the half. (Looks at watch) Two-five_, 
Gad, what a pace ! But he's sticking. Go it, Carson, 
old boy, go it ! Oh, God, if I were only there ! (He 
pauses till end of song, waving handkerchief above 
head on last two lines) Yes, for Yale, for Old Eli! 
Carson, Carson, you are doing it! (Very loud cheer- 
ing outside. He looks at vmtch) Third quarter, 
three-twelve! Newman's after a record, but he is 
bound to stop soon. Go on, Carson, go on ! Oh, 
here's where it hurts, old boy. I know, I know, on 
the last lap before the sprint. I know, I have been 
there, but' stick to him, stick to him! (Cheering 
outside) He's getting ready for his sprint. Not 
yet, boy, not yet ! Wait till he starts ! Wait till he 
starts! Wait till he starts! But watch him, watch 
him close, watch him, watch him — now! Now, boy, 
go it, go it ! Yale, Yale ! Go on ! Yale ! Carson ! 
(Verj/ loud rh^ering outside) He's even, yes he is, 
now, boy, it'? only a little way! He's got him, he'a 
got him ! He's passed him ! Carson ! Carson ! 
Carson ! 



68 FOR OLD ELI. 

(Very loud Yale cheering. Walker sinks to bench 
exhausted. Enter crowd yelling. Campbei.i. 
and McCoy carrying Carson on their shoul- 
ders. Carson has hunch of violets in his 
hands.) 

CURTAIN. 



ACT IV. 



Library and den of Alice Fairfield's home. Even- 
ing following Yale-Harvard Track Meet. 
Door with portieres c. Door l. Fireplace iviih 
ingle-nook seats r. Morris chair before fire- 
place. Divan r. of c. d. Piano l. Table witJt 
two chairs about c. Small desk with two tele- 
phones L. On rise of curtain room is lighted 
only by firelight. Helen is discovered seated 
in Morris chair before fire. 

(Enter Alice c. She starts toward fireplace and 
sees Helen.) 

Alice. Oh, hello, dear; I didn't know you had 
come down yet. (Pause) What's the matter, honey, 
why so pensive? 

Helen, (feigning surprise) Oh, nothing, why? 

Alice. Oh, nothing, why? Why, my dear, you 
have a look in your eyes as if your thoughts were a 
thousand miles away or — or — perhaps they were only 
about a mile, in a certain room in Vanderbilt Hall. 
Sprinters, who can jump in at the last minute and 
do a mile, in record time, are danj^erous. 

Helen. Now, Alice, please don't. You know 

Alice. Yes, I know you were so excited you 
threw him your violets when he finished. 

Helen. Of course I was excited. Didn't I want 
Yale to win? But I should have thrown them to 
anyone. 



FOR OLD ELI. 59 

Alice. Yes, and when they were coming down 
tlie home stretch didn't you cry with all your might, 
" Come on, Dick ! Come on ! Come on ! " Oh, I 
was watching you. 

Helen. Oh, Alice, you must never tell anyone. 
I didn't realize what I was doing. 

Alice. No, perhaps not, but the fact remains that 
you were more than ordinarily interested. 

Helen. But, dear, you know I can never, never 
forgive him. 

Alice. Never forgive him for what? Fooling you 
or — or — the other? 

Helen. I can never forgive him for either. It 
makes me angry yet when I think how he deceived 
me. There was absolutely no call for it, and then — 
and then — the other — oh I can't bear to even think of 
that. 

Alice. Helen, dear, do you know I think we made 
a horrible mistake. Dick Carson never drank a drop 
of liquor before in his life, and I cannot believe he 
did so this time without some reason for it. 

Helen. What reason could there be? 

Alice. I don't know, (pause) but I have heard of 
men getting drunk when tiiey had been jilted. 

Helen. What do you mean? 

Alice. You know you turned him down pretty 
hard, dear — and then — — 

Helen. Well I am glad he did if he is that kind 
of a man ! 

Alice. Oh, I don't believe that was it after all, 
anyway I have sent him a special note asking him to 
come to-night. I told him I was sorry for the way 
we treated him yesterday, that I trusted him and 
wanted to see him, and if he comes you must be nice 
to him. 

{Teleplione hell rings. Alice turns on UqJits, qoes 
to dcsTc and sits. She speaJcs before taking down 

receiver.) 



GO FOR OLD ELI. 

Alice. Promise me please, dear. 

Helen. Yes, I'll tr}^, but we must have a formal 
introduction. 

Alice. Oli, certainly if you want it. (she takes 
down receiver) Hello — Itello — site hangs up receiver 
and takes down other one) Hello — yes this is G708 
— yes ]\Irs. Fairfield's — Who? — Gwen Hardy? — Yes 
she's here. I'll call her; just hold your phone, please. 
(places receiver on table and goes to door and calls) 
Gwen, oh Gwen, dear! You are wanted at the ph.one, 
dear, (she goes hack to phone and talks) Hello — 
no, but she will be right down, (puts doivn receiver 
and crosses to Helen) Oh dear, such popularity! 

Helen. Which one is it this time ? 

(Enter Gwen c.) 

Gwen. Which phone is it, Alice? (looks at 
phones) Oh yes, I see. (she crosses to phones and 
then turns and looks at other girls, showing that she 
wants them to go) 

Alice, (laughing) Come, Helen. (Helen rises 
and they start out c.) I think maybe we are de trop. 
(as they reach door she calls hack) Five minutes 
limit, Gwen. 

(Exit Helen and Alice laughing.) 
(Gwen sits down and takes up receiver.) 
Gwen. Hello — yes this is Gwen — Oh it's you, Mr. 
Campbell ?— What— Oh, did I?— All right then, 
William — what? — William is too dignified? Y'ou 
don't want me to call you Willie, do you? — AAHiat? — 
just plain Will? — All right then, Plain Will — (other 
telephone hell rings) — oh dear, wait just a minute 
please, (takes doivn other receiver and puts it to 
other ear) Hello — (turns to 1st phone) — Wait just 
a minute, (turns to 2nd phone) Yes this is Main 
6048 — yes this is Gwen. (turns to 1st phone) 
Wait just a minute. — \Vhat? — There is no one hp'-e. 
- — (turns to 2nd phone) — What? — Oh it's you, Mr. 



I 



FOR OLD ELI. (Ji 

Ludlow — (to 1st phone) No, lie's not. {to 2nd 
phone) There is no one lieie. Wait just a minute 
please, {to 1st phone) If you don't wait just a 
minute I'll never speak to you again, William Camp- 
bell, {to 2nd phone) No he's not, really he's not, 
Mr. Ludlow.— Oh did I ?— All right, John— what?— 
John is too dignified?— Just plain Jack — all right 
PI — {to 1st phone) How many dances? I shan't 
give you any if you don't wait. — No — no — don't hang- 
up, W — Will. I'll — I'll talk to you in just a minute. 
(to 2nd phone) How many dances? — I shan't give 
you any — What? — Oh no, don't hang up — {to Isi 
phone) Oh no, don't — hello — hello — oh dear, he's 
gone, (to 2nd phone) Oh no, don't — hello — hello 
— hello — oh dear, he's gone too. {hangs up receivers 
and stands up) My gracious, I hope I haven't made 
them both angry! {crosses to table c.) Oh dear, 
what am I to do? (sees pliotograph and pichs it up) 
Oh, here is a perfectly dear picture of Mr. Lud — J a — 
Jack in his track suit. I shall ask Alice to give it to 
me. 

{Enter Helen, Edith, Mary and Alice c. Helen 
and Edith Cross to fireplace.) 

Alice. Time's up, Gwen. 

Mary. Which is to be the lucky one this time, 
Gwen ? 

Gwen. Oh, gracious, I don't know. 

Alice. Methinks it was William's melodious 
voice I heard over the telephone, {mode seriousness) 
Look here, young lady, I won't stand for you trifling 
with the young affections of my Cousin Jack. 

Gwen. Oh no — I — I — won't, Alice — Oh yes, here 
is a perfectly dear picture of Jack — I mean Mr. 
Ludlow in his track suit. Won't you give it to me, 
Alice dear? 

(Mary crosses to piano and looks over music.) 

Alice. I am afraid I couldn't, and then what 
would William say? 



(^2 FOR OLD ELI. 

GwEN. Oil dear, I had forgotten ail about {ii;ii ! 
Alice, {laughing) I am afraid you are a fickle 
little flirt, Gwen. 

(Enter Mrs. Fairfield c.) 

Mrs. Fairfield. Good evening, girls, I ara 
awfully glad to see you. 

(Mary and Edith bow and smile. Alice crosses to 
Mary.) 

Gwen. How do you do, Mrs. Fairfield ? 

Mrs. Fairfield, {crossing to her) Well, my 
dear, it has been a very exciting day, hasn't it ? 

Gwen. I should say so, and you should bo awfr.lly 
proud of Jack. Wasn't he Just fine in the two — mile 
— run? See, Alice, I knew what the name of it was 
this time. 

Alice. Yes, but, Gwen dear, haven't you forgotten 
how grand William was in the hammer throw and 
shot put? {Alice laughs) 

Gwen. Oh gracious yes. Wasn't he just — just 
divine, Mrs. Fairfield? 

Mrs. Fairfield. (sitting l. of table) Yes 
indeed. Oh you foolish little girl ! (pause) Well 
our friend Richard Carson did remarkably well after 
his disgraceful conduct. 

Alice. Mother, I think we have all been mistaken, 
thai, is, I don't think we understand all of the circum- 
stances. 

Mrs. Fairfield. 1 don't think there are any 
further circumstances to understand. 

Allbright. (outside) No, I thank you, I shall 
enter ijumediately. 

Mrs. Fairfield. Ah, here is our dear friend 
Professor Allbright. 

Allbright. Good evening, ladies. 

All. Good evening, Professor Allbright. 

Allbright. Only Assistant Professor. 

Mrs. Fairfield, (advancing to shal-e bauds) 



FOR OLD ELI. 53 

We are delighted that you honor us witli your 
presence this evening. 

Allbright. The pleasure is all mine, my dear 
Mrs. Fairfield. 

Mhs. Fairfield. Oh, now, don't be selfish, my 
dear Professor Allbright, allow us at least a part of 
the pleasure. Come, let us be seated. 

(She leads liim to divan L. of door and they sit talk- 
ing earnestly.) 

Edith. Yes, it certainly was a great meet ! Fifty- 
one to fifty-three ! But tell me, what do you think 
about Dick Carson, did he get drunk purposely? 

Helen. I am sure I do not know, 

Edith. There, you mustn't be too hard on him. 

(Enter Ludlow c.) 

Ludlow, Hello, everybody ! 

All. Hello, Jack ! Etc. etc. 

Ludlow, Thought I'd come early and avoid the 
rush. 

Alice, (cominfj forward and tailing both his 
hands) Good ! We're awfully glad to see you, Jack, 
old boy, and we are as proud of you as can be! I'd 
kiss you right here if it were not for all these people. 

Ludlow, Come on, you folks, you're excused. 

Alice. No nothing like that. Jack, 

Ludlow. Oh, very well, such is always my fiitc. 

Mrs. Fairfield. John, aren't you going to allow 
your old aunt to congratulate you ? 

Ludlow. You bet your life, (he crosses to her 
and shakes hands bowing very low) Yours is the 
one that counts most, 

(GwEN turns up her nose.) 

Allbright, I understand, my young friend, that 
you have brought glory to Yale by your exertions 
upon the Athletic Field to-day. If you acquit your- 
•self as credibly with your academic curriculum 



64 FOR OLD ELI. 

throughout your course, we shall all have reason to be 
proud of you. 

Ludlow. Thanks Prof., I shall try. {he returns 
to others) But say; wasn't it great? Fifty-three 
to fifty-one ! And the way Carson ran the mile ! 
And he never ran over a four-forty in iris life before. 
But it was for Yale ! Say, what won't a fellow do 
for Yale? 

Alice. But tell us. Jack, hew did he happen to 
run the mile? We all felt pretty gloomy when poor 
Charley sprained his ankle, and then when we saw 
Dick come out when the mile v/as called, we didn't 
know what to make of it till the race was started. 

Ludlow. Well you see it was this way ; when Cap 
sprained his ankle there wasn't anyone to run the 
mile, so he called for a volunteer to do it. I tell you 
he made a great plea for Yale ! There wasn't a man 
there but would have done it or killed himself trying; 
but Carson was too quick for them. He just butted 
right in and said, " I will." We couldn't believe our 
ears at first, because when all the fellows turned him 
down at the beginning of the meet, he told us he was 
done with us and Y^ale too, and I d:dn"t l)lame him 
either. But there he was saying it sure 'nuff. 
" Carson, you can't do it," Cap said, " You never 
ran over a four-forty in your life." " That doesn't 
make any difference ! Yale needs me, and it is for 
Old Eli this time." Y^ou all saw the race. I 
wouldn't have missed it for a million dollars ! Think 
of it! After he had won three events already, and 
broken one record to run a race like that ! Run ! 
Why Carson is the greatest runner that ever lived ! 
Well as you know, everyone Avent clear plumb crazy 
when he beat Newman out, and his father came and 
hustled him off to his room in an auto before any of 
the fellows had a chance to square things with him. 
I tell you what, the old man was proud of Dick. 
You know he used to be quite a long distance runner 
himself when he was in Yale along in the seventies. 



FOR OLD ELI. (35 

Alice. Well, 1 .should think he would be proud. 

Ludlow. But 1 must tell you why Carson was 
(It'unk. 

Alice. Oh, do you know? 

Ludlow. You bet I do, I knew all along tliere was 
some good reason for it, but it wasn't v;hat I thought. 
{he looks at Helen. She looks down) 

Alice. What was it? {she looks at Helen) 

Ludlow. Well, after the meet Mike got us all in 
the dressing room, turned everyone else out and gave 
us thunder. Gad, but that man can swear! He can 
make a drunken Irishman on St. Patrick's Day look 
like a Methodist minister when it comes to swearing. 

Alice. W^ell, what has swearing got to do with 
Dick? 

Ludlow. Well you know Dick had gone stale. 

Alice. Yes. 

Ludlow. So Mike had given him champagne {all. 
girls start) to try to bring him around, in time for 
the meet, and he got good and gloriously! drunk., . 

(Edith whispers something to Helen. Helen 
shakes her head.) 

Alice. But why didn't he tell everyone before? , . 

Ludlow. Because Dick needed something to goad 
him on; at least Mike said he did, but I don't believe 
it. 

Alice. We all owe Dick an apology. Oh I do 
hope he will come to-night ! 

LuDLOM\ Yes, he's coming all right. He's gone 
to the train with his father, but said he would be here 
later. 

Alice. Gh, I am so glad! ' . . 

Mrs. Fairfield. Y''es,<I am .afraid we were a little 
too hasty in passing rrnr judgment upon Richard. I 
shall be glad to rectify my error. : ^ 

(Ludlow rro.^sc^ to Gwen and they converse.y 

Allbright. But to resume, my dear Mrs. Fair-'' 
field 



66 FOR OLD ELI. 

{Enter Campbkll and Armstrong c.) 

Alice. Hello, boys, awfully glad to see you ! 
Congratulations ! 

(Alice shaTces hands with them.) 

GwEN. Oh, here is Mr. Campbell, 1 must speak 
to him. 

{She crosses to him. Ludlow looJcs mad. Alice 
talks to Armstrong.) 

Mary, {to Ludlow) Don't worry, Mr. Ludlow, 
she will be back soon. 

Gwen. We are all awfully proud of you, Mr. 
Campbell — I mean William. You — you tlirew the 
two mile — run perfectly grand to-day. {tJtcij con- 
verse, Gwen sitting on chair l. of table) 
{Enter Baily c.) 

Baily. Hello, everybody ! I guess that will help 
some, no? 

Alice. Awfully glad to see you, Mr. Baily. 

Baily. Thanks awfully. Oh I wish I could be a 
hero! The other fellows will be right down. 

Alice. Oh, Mr. Baily, your announcing was fine. 

Baily. Thanks again, {he crosses to Edith and 
Helen and they talk) 

{Enter Turner, Foster, Allison, Anderson, 
DwiGHT, McCoy, Jones and Ollcott. Alice 
shakes hands with each.) 

Alice. Hello, boys ! So glad you could come 
to-night, Mr. Turner! {he crosses to L.) And Spud 
Foster. Too bad you got such a poor start in the 
four-forty to-day. Do better next time, {he crosses 
to R.) Nice work, Mr. Allison, we are all proud of 
you. {he crosses to r.) And Mr. Anderson, we arc 
proud of you too. {he crosses to l.) I certainly 
must congratulate you, Jim. Your vaulting was 
simply great, {he crosses to L.) Hard luck, Tmn, 
we thought you had second in the hammer, your work 



FOR OLD ELI. 67 

was fine anyway, (he crosses to r.) And poor Mr. 
Jones, I am awfully sorry you didn't win. 

Jones. Ah, no one could win if he didn't get a 
square deal. 

Alice. Well that is too bad, Mr. Jones, (he 
crosses to l. c.) Well, OUie Ollcott, we certainly are 
proud of the way you ran the two-twenty. It was 
simply great ! Now all of you make yourselves at 
jiome. (lie crosses to r.) The orchestra will play 
soon and then we can dance. 

{Enter Walker on crutches.) 

Alice. Hello, Charley, you poor boy! How are 
you ? (sit ales hands) 

j\ri-:s. Fairfield, (coming forward and shaJcing 
hands) Well, Charley Walker, we are awfully glad 
to see you are able to be here to-night. How is your 
ankle? 

Walker. Oh it's all right. I wish you folks 
wouldn't make such a fuss over it. Has anyone seen 
Carson ? Is he to be here to-night ? 

Ludlow. Yes:, I saw him for just a minute. He's 
gone to the train with his dad. He'll be here soon. 

(Orchestra starts to play.) 
Walker. Good, I want to see him. 
Alice. There the orchestra has started to play, 
we can all dance now. 

(Walker crosses to Morris chair in front of fire- 
place.) 
Campbell and Ludlow, (together) May I have 
the pleasure of this dance. Miss Gwen? 

(She tal-es arm of each and they go out L.) 
Allbright. Will you honor me, my dear Mrs. 
Fairfield ? 

Mrs. Fairfield. Certainly, my dear Professor 
Allbright. 

{She tal-es his arm and they go out l.) 



68 FOR OLD ELI. 

(Baily and Edith go oat together, Dwight and 
Helen, and Armstrong and Mary. The others 
in groups, Alice following them to door and 
watching.) 

Walker. Alice. 

Alice. Yes? 

Walker. Come here, won't you please? {she 
crosses to him) Alice, do you know I have made an 
awful ass of myself. 

Alice. Oh no, Charley, I am sure Dick won't 
hold it up against you. 

Walker. No, maybe not, but I mean something 
else. 

Alice. What? 

Walker. I mean what I said about you being- 
interested in Carson. 

Alice. There, please don't, Charley, I know you 
didn't mean it. You were all worked up about the 
meet, and didn't realize what you were saying. 

Walker. Then you forgive me? 

Alice, (holding out hand) Of course I do. 

(He takes her hand and draws her to him.) 
(Enter Carson c.) 

Carson. Hello! (Alice jerks her hand away) 
'Scuse me for butting in. Didn't see you. I'll go. 

Alice, (coming forward and holding out hand) 
No, you foolish boy, I am so glad you came. We 
simply have to tell you how proud we all are of you. 
And then — and then— Dick, can you ever forgive us? 

Carson. Oh that's all right, Alice. Hello, Cap. 
old boy ! How's the ankle ? 

(Carson holds out hand and Walker takes it with a 
show of emotion.) 

Walker. Oh the ankle is all right. It can wait, 
but I want to talk first. T don't know why I made 
euch an ass of myself, I — I 

Carson, (putting hands on Walker's shonldcrs) 



FOR OLD ELI. 69 

Oh that's all right, old man, that's all right. Don't 
think about it any more. You thought you were 
doing right, and it was all for Old Eli, you know. 

Walker. Yes, that is what you said before the 
race. And what a race it was ! You ran a better 
mile than I could have. 

Carson. Oh no, nothing like that. 

(Enter Helen l.) 

Helen. Oh ! (she Uirns to go) 

Alice, (coming forward) Oh, Helen, dear, come 
here a minute please. Miss Beckwith, allow me to 
present my friend, Mr. Carson, Yale's greatest 
athlete. 

(Carson steps forward and holds out his hand. Shs 
pretends not to see it, and he lets it fall.) 

Helen. How do you do, Mr. Carson? I want 
to congratulate you on your fine work to-day. 

Carson. Thank you, thank you very much. Miss 
Beckwith. 

Alice. Come, Charley, I want to see mother about 
the supper. 

(They start toirard door L.) 

Helen. Oh don't go, please. 
Alice. We shan't stay long. Y^'ou will excuse us 
I am sure. 

Helen. Certainly, if you must go. 

(Exit Alice and Walker l.) 

Carson. Won't you be seated, Miss BeckAvith? 
Helen, (sitting in Morris chair) Thank you. 

(Carson crosses hehind her and stands in front of 
flreplac£ with elhotvs on mantelpiece.) (Pause.) 

Carson, (suddenly) It's been a fine day to-day, 
hasn't it. Miss Beckwith ? 
Helen. Y^'es indeed. 
Carson, (aside) Gee, that v/on't do! (to her) 



70 FOR OLD ELI. 

How long have you been in New Haven, Miss Beek- 
with ? 

Helen. Since Wednesday morning. 

Carson. Do you like it? 

Helen. Yes, very much. 

Carson. Well, it is a mighty line place, (pause) 
It's too bad we missed each other at the dance at St. 
Margaret's last year, but really it wasn't my fault. 

Helen. Mr. Carson ! 

(She tries to he stern, but laughs in spite of herself.) 

Carson, {suddenly) Miss Beckwith, can't you 
forgive me? You understand about Wednesday night 
now, don't you? 

Helen. Yes, Mr. Ludlow told us, and I am 
awfully sorry we misjudged you. 

Carson. Then — then you can forgive me for the 
other too? 

Helen. Oh I didn't say that. 

Carson. But you said last night down by the 
fence, that you might have forgiven me but for the 
other. 

Helen. I said I might have forgiven you. 

{Enter Campbell and Ludlow l.) 

Campbell. Now look here, Freshman, I have had 
just about enough of your butting in. If you don't 
cut it out 

Ludlow. Oli is that so? Well I guess I have had 
just about enough of your butting in. 

Cai^ipbell. Is that so? 

Ludlow. Yes, you bet it's so ! You call yourself 
a gentleman, yet when a fellow has a dance with a 
j^irl, you butt in, and take her away from him. 

Campbell. Well it was my dance. 

Ludlow. Well it wasn't ! 

Campbell. Well what are you going to do about 
it? 



FOR OLD ELI. VI 

Ludlow. I'll show you wliat I am going to do 
about it. You don't need to think that just because 
you are a big overgrown lobster that you can blufl; 
me, and if you don't let her alone the rest of the 
evening I'll show you — (lie starts to go out c.) 

Campbell, Well if you don't let her alone the 
rest of the evening I'll show you 

{They exit c. hefore end of speech.) 

Helen. Oh don't let them hurt each other, Mr, 
Carson. 

Carson. Don't worry, they are really the best of 
friends and wouldn't think of fighting. 

Helen. Yes, but they are in love. 

Carson. That does make a difference, doesn't it? 
Can't you forgive me 

(Enter Gwen l.) 

Gwen. Oh — oh — ex — excuse me — but — but — did 
you see Mr. Campbell or Mr. Ludlow? You see I 
have this dance with one of them and I don't know 
which. 

Carson. They just went out to fight a duel. 
They are probably tearing each other to pieces by this 
time. You had better go and rescue them. 

Gwen. Oh 

(She runs out c.) 

Carson. Can't you, ]\[iss 

(Enter Mrs. Fairield arid Allbright l. talhing.) 

Allbright. As I was saying, my dear Mrs. Fair- 
field, the immortal Hume 

Mrs. Fairfield. But pardon me, my dear Pro- 
fessor, here is Mr. Carson, I must speak to him. 

{She crosses to Carson holding out hand.) 

Allbright. So must I. 

Mrs. Fairfield. Eichard, can you ever forgive us 



;2 FOR OLD ELI. 

for the disgraceful manner in which we treated you 
yesterday ? 

Carson. Oh that's all right, Mrs. Fairfield, don't 
say anything more about it please. 

iiiis. Fairfield. I am truly very, sorry, Richard, 
but you seem to be getting along very nicely here so 
we shall leave you. 

Carson. Oh yes — yes, very nicely indeed. 

Allbrigiit. [stepping forward) I suppose, Mr. 
Carson, (Carson looks resigned to his fate) you 
have carefully considered that portion of Hume's 
philosophy, which I outlined for you at our last meeft- 
ing, and will be prepared to give an elaborate disserta- 
tion upon the same to-morrow? 

Carson. Oh — yes — yes — certainly, Pi-ofessor 

Mrs. Fairfield. But come, my dear Professor 
Allbright, I believe Mr. Carson is considering a 
Philosophy older even than that of the immortal 
Hume. 
(Carson looks grateful. Helen lools ^nibarrassed.) 

Allbright. {going l. ivith Mrs. Fairfield.) 
Certainly, my dear Mrs. Fairfield, as I was saying, the 
divine Hume, in promulgating his immortal cogita- 
tions 

{They exit L. before end of speech.) 

{Enter Campbell, Gwen anc? Ludlow c. before 

Carson has time to speak. {lie looks mad.) 

Campbell. You know, Miss Gwen, you said yoiY 
would give the most dances to the one who won the 
most points, and / did, you know. 

Gwen. Oh no, Mr. Campbell, I said I'd give the 
most dances to the one who did the most for Yale. 

Campbell. Well, didn't T ? 

Gw'^en. Oh no, Mr. Campbell, you won the most 
points all right, but you didn't have to work half so 
hard as poor Jack here, and— and then, Mr. Campbell, 
you know obesity is so fatal to romance. I think I 
have this dance with you, Jack, dear. 



FOR OLD ELI. 73 

(Ludlow looks very much pleased. Campbell very 
mad. GwEN takes Ludlow's arm and they 
start to leave h. as others come in l. Edith 
and Baily are leading.) 
Edith. Did you miss this dance, Gwen? 
GwEN. Oh, is it over? 

Baily. {seeing Carson) Oh, fellows, hurry up, 
here's Carson. 

{Enter all others hurriedly.) 

Baily. Long cheer with nine Carsons. 
{All give Yale cheer.) 

Carson. Thank you, fellows. 

Campbell. Say, fellows, I think we owe Carson 
an apology. Shall I speak for the bunch? 

All. Sure! Go ahead. That's it, Beef. Etc. 
etc. 

Campbell. Well, Carson, we have made the 
biggest kind of asses of ourselves yesterday and 
to-day. 

All. That's right, Beef. You bet we did. I 
should say so. Etc. etc. 

Campbell. We might have known better, but we 
didn't. So now we are ready to get down on our 
hands and knees in apology. 

All. You bet we are. That's it. Keep it up, 
Beef. Etc., etc. 

Carson. Oh that's all right, fellows. Come on, 
let's dance. 

Walker, {stepping forward) No, we have a 
liitle business to attend to first. This is the first 
time the team has been together since the meet, so 
this is the time to elect a Captain for next year. 
You honored me by electing me Captain for this year, 
and I certainly did appreciate the honor, and I know 
whoever is elected this year will appreciate it also. 
We shall have nominations made and then vote by 
acclamation. We are now ready for nominations. 

Campbell. 1 nominate Dick Carson. 



74 FOR OLD ELI. 

Armstrong. I move the nominations closed. 

McCoy. I second the motion. 

Walker. It has been moved and seconded that 
the nominations close. All in favor of the motion 
signify the same by the usual sign. 

All. I— I— I— I— I— I. 

Walker. Contrary the same sign, (pause) As 
there is but one nomination, there is but one man to 
vote for. All who want to vote for Dick Carson for 
Captain of Yale's Track Team for next year say I. 

All. I — I — I. Speech — speech ! 

Carson, (stepping forward) I certainly do ap- 
preciate this, fellows. It is the greatest honor that 
could be given me, and I shall, I shall, try to be 
worthy of it. I — I — oh come on, let's dance. 

(Campbell and McCoy pick Carson np on their 
shoulders and carry him around room as all sing.) 

Here's to Eichard Carson, 
Drink it down, drink it down, 
Here's to Richard Carson, 
Drink it down, drink it down, 
Here's to Richard Carson, 
He's a runner, not a parson, 
Drink it down, drink it down, 
Drink it down, down, down. 

(On last few lines they carry him out l. all following 
hut Helen and Alice. Alice turns sivitch and 
puts out lights.) 

Alice. Well, dear, did he propose? 

Helen, (sitting in Morris chair) Oh, now, 
Alice, don't be foolish. 

Alice. I know he is head over heels in love with 
you. 

Helen. Oh, I am sure you are mistaken. 

Alice. Oh no I'm not. I know the symptoms. 
And — and — then he told me himself that — that 

(Enter Carson l. Alice sees him and motions to 



FOR OLD ELI. i'J 

Urn. She crosses to hitn, whispers and exits l. 
He crosses and stands hehind Helen's chmr.) 
Helen. Wli— what— did you say D— Dick said, 

^Carson. He said be loved yuu, (Helen starts 
and then listens) Loved you. Oh, I do_ love you, 
Helen dear, I do love you ! Love at first sight it you 
will but it is love, t never, never loved before. I 
have been waiting till the right girl came. And now 
she's here, she's here. I know— I know I am no 
worthy of you, not for a minute, but, dear, I never did 
a dishonorable thing in my life. Tell me there is 
some hope. Oh I'll wait. I'll wait. . 

Helen. But— but I said I could never forgive 

you, D — Dick. j^, j., rw i 

' Carson Dick, Dick! You call me that! Oh 1 
told you, you could say Dick just great. You have 
forgiven me, haven't you, sweetheart? 

Helen. I— I suppose so, but 

Carson. No, no, don't say anything. You have 
forgiven me, and, and, you will marry me, won^t 
you? Now don't say it is too sudden, for it isn t 
sulden, why I have known you for over two whole 

Helen. But— but— Dick, there is something I 
want to ask you first. 

Carson. All right, fire ahead. 

Helen. Did — did — you run the mile to-day all — 
all for Old Eli? 

Carson. For Old Eli, and— and you. 

(She jumps up and takes his hand.) 
Helen. Oh come on, let's dance. 
(They start out l.) 



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